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THE JILT. 

A COMEDY DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS, 



BY 



DION BOUCICAULT. 



Copyright, 1909, by Mrs. Josephine Cheney. 



SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher, 

24 West 22nd Street, 

NEW YORK. 



©CI.D 17 7 05 






THE JILT. 



Produced at the Prince of Wales' Theatre, London^ 
July 2dth, 1886. 



CHARACTERS 



Myles O'Hara ... 


... Mb. Dion Boucicault. 


Sir Budleigh Woodsh..ck 


... Mr. J. G. Grahame. 


Lord Marcus 


.. Mr. Lethcourt. 


Colonel Tudor 


... Mr. John Billington. 


Geoffrey Tudor 


... Mr. Frank Rodney. 


Rev. Spooner 


... Mr. E. W. Gardiner. 


Mr. Wilcox 


... Mr. Sidney Harcoukt 


Mr. James Daisy 


... Mr. J. G. Taylor. 


Cripps 


... Mr. Belton. 


Kitty Woodstock 


... Miss Thorndyke. 


Lady Millicent... 


... Miss Myra Holme. 


Phyllis Welter 


... Miss Webster. 


Mrs. Welter 


... Miss Mary Barker. 


Mrs. Pincott ... 


... Miss Le Thiere. 



ACTS 1, 2, AND 5. 



Conservatory Backing. 






Arched opening with 
curtain hangings 



Door 



I Folding 



doors 



J 



o 



Piano 



Lofty antique fireplace, 
surmounted by mirror! 



The above plan indicates ihe necessary setting and artides 
actiuilly brought into use. Furniture and occasional chairs 
may be added according to size of stage. , 



ACT 3. 

Garden Cloth. 



_/ 



French 
windows 



Entrance 



Fireplace ' ' 

Table with tea 
Secretaire set out 



11 3 Chair with arms 



t 



Backing of trusses 
of straw 



Door 
Chair i o 

o '\i 

Stool O I - 



As the scene in Act 4 depends entirely uj on the size of 
stage, a strict form of setting is not required. 



THE JILT. 



ACT I. 

Scene : Baronial Hall Interior. 

Wilcox, 6 Footmen, 4 Grooms, 2 Coachmen, 3 Gar- 
deners and 4 Maids discovered. 

Music at rise. Shouts outside at rise. Joybells. Music 
in orchestra. 

Enter Mrs. Pincott from r.u.e. 

Mrs. Pin. {doionc.) Here they come, {up to conservatory) 
The bride and bridegroom are coming home to the Abbots. 
(shouts outside) Do you hear the tenantry? {down l.c. ) 

Wilcox, {going into conservatory and looking of) They 
are throwing their hats in the air. 

Mrs. Pin. (l.c.) They woukl throw their hearts in tie 
air if they coukL {Band plays '-''Home, Siceet Home.''^) 

WiL. {down c.) Now range yourselves to receive our 
master, {sta^ids B..G. ; Mrs. Pincott crosses to l. and stands 
at head of piano. Cannon, shouts, joybells, ^c, as Sir Bud- 
LEIGH and Millicent eyiter c. from r. Servants bow, maids 
curtsey. ) 

Z Sir Bud. {goes up to hack conservatory) My friends, 
{cries of " Order ! order ! silence ! " outside) let me present 
to you all the Lady of Budleigh Manor — my bride. Lady 
AVoodstock. {cheers outside) Let her share my place in 
your hearts. She bids me thank you for your welcome. 
Her future life will be passed amongst you. She hopes to 
earn your love! {cannon and cheers. Sir Budleigh and 
Millicent advance c. Servatits bow. Sir Budleigh down 
c. and passes Millicent m front of him to r.c. just in 
front of .mfa r. ) Welcome to your home ! Here is 
your household to receive you. {going to Mrs. Pincott and 
bringhig her towards c. ) This heap of goodness is Mrs. 
Pincott — the oldest and best^my nurse that watched over 
my childhood — spoiled me — you did, you dear old rosy, 
more rosy than ever, {pccsses Mrs. Pincott across to Milli- 
cent L.c. ) 



6 THE JILT. 

Mrs. Pin. Oh, Sir Budleigh — I — I — can't say how glad 1 
am — for crying, {crosses to Millicent) God bless you, my 
lady ! 

Sir Bud. {going towards Groom, r. Wilcox falls back) 
Eh ! William, I am glad to see you so hearty. All well in 
the village? — that's good, {moving up c. to Footmen) And 
John, too ! How's the old mother — bravely ? And 
Stephen. Is that Susan ? — not married yet ? A.nd Jane, 
too ? — you have not left the dairy ? Eh, lasses ! but that 
is right, stick to me and the Abbotts. And little Joe — 
promoted to the stable, eh? Bless all your happy faces. 
What would Budleigh Abbotts be without you ? {advances 
to Millicent c. Mrs. Pincott. retires up l.c. All exeunt 
R.u.E. except Wilcox and Mrs. Pincott, ivho go up into 
conservatory) 

WiL. Thank you, sir. 

Sir Bud. {at fireplace idth Millicent) At last my 
darling {embracing her) is by her own fireside. How do 
you like your new home ? {looking round) 

Mil. My eyes are so full of tears I cannot see. But 
where is your sister ? 

Sir Bud. {taking l. corner) Ay, where is Kitty ? 

Mrs. Pin. (c. advancing to table at end of sofan.H.) Miss 
Woodstock left here an hour ago with Lord Marcus ; they 
rode out to meet you at Lyndon Pyke. 

Sir Bud. (l.h.) And we came by Darley Green, so we 
missed them, {going up to c. ) 

Wil. {conservatory, and looking off n.) Here she comes, 
sir, galloping across the fields. 

Sir Bud. (?//> c. ) That girl will break her neck some day. 

Mil. {doivn by fireplace Jj.) Why does she not ride by 
the road ? 

Sir Bud. Because she is Kitty Woodstock and she 
knows only one road in the world, and that is a straight 
one — on horseback or on foot. 

Mrs. Pin. {up r.c. ) Her brother's sister! A Wood- 
stock down to the ground. ( whistle outside r. ) 

Sir Bud. There she is ! Haw ! Haw ! Haw ! Do you hear 
that? — 'tis Kitty! When we were children we invented a 
code of whistles to bother Uncle Jack, who never could 
understand us talking to each other like birds about the 
house and across the fields, {ivhistle repeated) I hear, 
Kitty ! 1 am coming ! {runs out r. ) 

Mil. (^0 Mrs. Pincott) 1 was not aware that Lord 
Marcus was stopping here. 

Wil. {advances c. ) No, my lady, he is with his 
regiment at the barracks near by. 



THE JiLT. 7 

Mrs. Pin. {at back of table) But he calls here daily. 
Indeed, folks say he wants to marry Miss Woodstock. 

Mil. Indeed ! 

Mrs. Pin. {lookimj at Wilcox) The servants' hall don't 
take to his lordship. (Wilcox shakes his head.) 

Mil. {laughing) Oh! you withhold your consent. (Mrs. 
PiNCOTT crosses to R. c. ) 

Enter Kitty and Sir Budleigh c. from r. He passes 
her over to Millicent, r.c. 

Sir Bud. Millicent, here is your sister Kitty. 

Mil. When Budleigh gave me the family jewels he told 
me he had left one at home that I must set in my heart. 

Kitty. ( r. c. ) Has the rogue left any room there ? 
{kisses her) Oh, my dear, I was so vexed to hear that all 
our arrangements for your reception had ended in such a 
failure. Lord Marcus had drilled the peasantry to keep 
their ranks, but when they caught sight of Budleigh there 
was no holding them. 

Sir Bud. Haw ! haw ! I stood up in the carriage and 
gave a view hollo. When the dogs heard my voice the whole 
kennel broke loose, and gave us a concert that shook the 
woods until the trees rustled with joy. Haw ! haw ! It 
brought the tears to Milly's eyes, the first I ever saw there. 
But where is Marcus ? 

KiTTy. (l. ) I gave him a lead over the holly fence. I 
thought he was following me. {crosses l.h. ) 

Marcus, {eyiieriiig c. from'R. and walking down c. ) He 
tried but he struck there ! {gives hat and stick to Wilcox ) 

Bud. {going to him, shaking his hand, then going to R. ) 
Glad to see you, old fellow. Here is an old friend of 
yours, Milly. {drops doun a little r. ) 

Mil. {crossing to Marcus) Lord Marcus, I give you 
both my hands. 

Marcus. Accept my sincere congratulations, {crosses down 
to R. corner, as he passes shakes Budlbtgh's hand) 

Wilcox, {advancing r.c.) Would her ladyship desire 
any service before dinner ? 

Mil. a little tea, if you please. 

Mrs. Pin. Your room is quite ready if you wish to 
remove your things. 

Mil. Thank you — {crosses to Marcus) if I may. {going 
R.u.E. E.reu7}t Mrs. Pincott ^w/ Wilcox) 

Sir. Bud, Stop! {stops here, giving her his arm. Marcus 
gets down R. ) I must do the honours and show you the 
dove-cote that Kitty has prepared for you — and a little 
corner which she calls my growlery. (Marcus gets R. As 



8 THE JILT. 

they move towards conservatory the serva?its e.veunt in j»?re- 
cedence. E.veunt Millicent and Sir Budleigh. Sir Bud- 
LEiGH riais back quickly and whispers to Kitty.) Isn't slie 
lovely? Are you disappointed ? 

Kitty. She is adorable. 

Bud. Thank you. Bless you. {nms out r. ) 

Marcus, {advancing c. ) Now that his bride takes your 
place by your brother's side don't you feel out in the cold ? 

Kitty. No ; he has two sides. I am content with one of 
them. 

Marcus. Oh, Miss Woodstock, may I not hope that 
some day — — {taking ojf gloves) 

Kitty. Yes, hope if you like, but don't expect. I draw 
the line at hope. (^^^5 r.h. ) 

Marcus. Are you incapable of love ? 

Kitty. I am full of it ; I love Bud, {getting to c.) 1 love 
Uncle Jack, I adore my cousin Geoff ; I could not live 
without my foxhound Jerry, and my mare Snow-drop is 
indispensable to my existence, {at archway) 

Marcus. {crosses"to l. ) 1 wish I were Snow-drop— or Jerry. 

Kitty. Oh, dear ! Why cannot a girl have a friend 
without spoiling him into a lover? That means the end to 
everything, {gets to pia?io) I like you awfully. 

Marc^us. {going to c. ) You seem glad to see me when I 
visit the Abbots. 

Kitty. So I am to see visitors to the Park who are 
welcome to admire the place, {takes flower from howl on 
piano) 

Marcus. Can I do nothing to please you ? 

Kitty. I will tell you what not to do. Don't follow 
me about with a box of sweets as children try to catch 
birds by putting a piece of salt on their tails. Ha ! ha ! 
If ever I do fall in love I must plunge into it unawares— 
and before I know where I am. {she is running out and. is 
met in c. by Myles O'Hara, i7ito whose arms she plunges) Oh ! 

Myles. {saying grace) For what we have received, may 
the Lord make us truly thankful ! {she starts away in 

C077fusi07l ) 

Kitty. 1 beg your pardon, sir. {runs out. He looks after 
her. Marcus gets to l.) 

Marcus, {annoyed) You present yourself without much 
ceremony ! 

Myles. Egad, sir ! It was the most delightful ceremony 
I ever encountered. I trust there is no offence in my 
appreciation. 'Tis the first time I ever saw an angel dis- 
guised in a riding-habit. The servants outside seemed 
rather disordered. So, as I could find nobody to cany in 



THE JILT. 9 

my card, I brought it myself, {he jmts card down on table. 
Marcus atjire) 

Marcus, {crosses to r. ) If you understood the prepara- 
tions you saw on foot, I feel surprised you intruded 
business on the Squire upon such a day. 

Myles. I am not looking for Sir Budleigh, but for a 
certain Lord Marcus Wylie. They told me at the barracks 
below that I might find him here. 

Marcus. {neijligentJij takes up the card, reads, and gets to 
piano) Myles O'Hara ! Oh! I beg your pardon. Your 
name is so celebrated in the sporting world that I feel we 
are already acquainted. I am the person you seek. 

Myles. Then let me deliver myself as briefly as 
possible, {jmts hat on table) I have I'ust received a letter 
from my friend and your old comrade, Fred Dacre. {sits 
on sofa and pulls out pocket-boo'k) 

Marcus. I hope he is well. 

Myles. God knows, for he was dying when he wrote. 
He sends me his will. You are named one of the 
executors, I am the other. He divides his property 
between us. {gives letter to Marccjs) You will perceive the 
letter is dated six months ago. It has been dodging me 
from place to place. 

Marcus, {ivalking to r., reading endorsement on envelope) 
Myles O'Hara, Esq., The Curragh, Kildare. ''Gone away 
—Try Tattersalls." "Care of the Clerk of the Course, 
Newmarket." "The Jockey Club, Paris." "The Paddock, 
Epsom. " 

Myles. My address is a little locomotive. Pray read 
his instructions to us. You will find enclosed a packet for 
yourself. 

Marcus, {opening letter) Poor Fred! Did he leave 
much ? 

Myxes. He leaves you, sir, one half share in Ballinahinch. 

Marcus. That is some Irish estate, I presume ? 

Myles. No, sir. much better. It is a horse, bred upon 
our place in Galway. It was all the property my poor 
father left me when he died ! To pay the funeral expenses 
I had to saddle the foal with a mortgage. Our friend 
Dacre furnished the money, and so bought one half of him. 
But may be, you would prefer cash to horse-flesh. If so, I 
will give you five hundred for your share. When I say 
I'll give — ^I mane, of course, I'll borrow it. 

Marcus. I prefer to retain my partnership with Mr. 
O'Hara. 

Myles. There's three of us. Ballinahinch is the head 
of the firm. 



10 THE JILT. 

Makcus. So poor Dacre is gone. I presume he is dead. 

Myles. I'm afraid he is scratched. 

Marcus. What ailed him ? 

Myles. A woman ! A woman ! She scooped Fred's 
heart out ! Then when he brought her up to the altar 
and put her nose on the rails, she shied and landed him 
with a broken life. 

Marcus. I think I know the girl who jilted him. 
{crosses l. ) 

Myles. I'm glad I don't. 

Marcus. And Dacre never got over it ? {crosses to fire) 

Myles. {crogses to r.c. ) Never! He went away like a 
wounded bird to die in a ditch ! Poor boy. Everybody 
loved him. Nothing ever came between himself and me 
but a bottle of claret, or a pack of cards ! He never 
disputed, except over who should have the privilege of 
paying the bill. Ah ! He won a pot of my money. And 
I'd lose it again — if I had it — to have him here now and 
look into his honest blue eyes, {gets to c, takes hat) 

Marcus. And all for a woman ? {^up facing fireplace) 

Myles. (c. ) They are unreliable cattle, my lord. As 
my poor father lay on his death-bed he held me by the hand 
— he squeezed it softly. I knew he was going. "Myles," 
he said, "my darlin' boy, stoop down," whispered, "Never 
put your money on a mare," and he died ! 

Marcus, {(joing to read the letter) Will you excuse me ? 

Myles. Certainl3^ {goes into cotiservatorg) 

Marcus, {finds in envelope a packet of letters tied unth 
red ribbon, and a letter. He reads) What is here? A 
packet of letters addressed to Sir Budleigh ! {reads letter) 
" My dear Wylie " — um — um — " not a week to live" — um — ■ 
um — " reckon on you — last favour " — um — um — " it may 
save Budleigh from deadly reptile " — um — um — ^" packet 
contains her letters to me " —phew ! " I bequeath this 
packet to Budleigh Woodstock." Too late {crosses to R. ), 
Dacre— Budleigh has married the jilt. But by Jove what 
an eye-opener this correspondence would be to poor Bud, 

Myles. (r.c.) Well, my lord, I will not intrude further. 
Good morning. 

Marcus. ( r. ) Have you met Sir Budleigh ? 

Myles. ( r. c. ) I have, on settling days. The boy was a 
handsome loser, and when he won he took his cake with 
the shy reluctance of a girl. A gentleman all over, if I 
know one. 

Marcus. I am sure he will be glad to see you. 

Myles. Another time— 

Marcus. Where are you staying ? {crosses to l. ) 



THE JILT. 11 

Mylbs. We are at the Budleigh Arms. 

Marcus. We ? 

Myles. The horse and myself ! I never lave him ! It 
is a jooty I owe the public that have put their money on 
him. I'd not let any other hand give him food or drink or 
rub him down. He knows no other voice. Then on the 
home-stretch, when I call upon him, his sowl is mine — 
and he will win or die ! 

Marcus. But the Budleigh Arms is a roadside public- 
house, without decent accommodation, {[/oes up) 

Myles. It is as dry as a cigar-box, 1 assure you, and as 
sweet as the breath of a cow ! I would not ask for better 
quarters ! 

Marcus. Are you speaking of your rooms ? 

Myles. Oh, no ! the stable. 

I^yiter Ladv Millicent, c. frojn R., meeting Myles ;'Ae boivs 
and exits c. and l. Marcus gets r.h. Enter VfiJjGOX. 
and Servant ivith tea. Vhange limes. 

Marcus. Permit me to wait upon you. 

Mil. {to Wilcox) Lord Marcus will serve the tea. 
(Marcus crosses round to tea-table) Please tell Sir Bud- 
leigh he will find me here. {Exeunt Wilcox and Servant) 

Marcus, {after a pause) Well ? 

Mil. Well! 

Marcus. You married him after all ? 

Mil. Yes. 

Marcus, I helped you to land the biggest fish of the 
season! {stirring tea) An old title, a splendid estate! It 
is said he settled upon you his entire funded property. 

Mil. Yes. I secured a prudent lawyer to represent a 
fatherless girl, and he sold me well, {gives up cup) A 
race-horse never fetched a higher price — a picture by one 
of the old masters never realised a higher figure, {rises) 
I was a proud girl when I led my happy victim from the 
altar, {cross to fireplace l.h. ) 

Marcus. And left a dozen broken hearts upon it. ( tvalks 
to fireplace) 

Mil. {leaning on piano) The world thought he was an 
infatuated fool, and when I swept his fortune into my 
lap they regarded me as the longest head in London. 
{sits L. ) 

Marcus. They said you had won a big stake. 

Mil. a mistake, Wylie. Two months after our marriage 
I sent home for the settlement and threw my price into 
the fire. 

Marcus, (c. ) Did he permit you to make that sacrifice ? 



12 THE JILT. 

Mil. He knew nothing about it. My dear Lord Marcus, 
I am in love with my husband. 

Marcus. In love with Budleigh ? 

Mil. Hopelessly. 

Marcus. Good heavens, how dreadful! {stej) or two 
to R. ) When did this happen ? 

Mil. a few weeks after our marriage, when I discovered 
the simple, noble gentleman we had mistaken for a fool ; 
when I shared his life and found myself in a new world, 
oh, so different from the sordid, selfish circle in which you 
and I have lived and schemed ! And I felt 1 had emerged 
from the stifling atmosphere of a hothouse into the pure 
air of heaven, and with every breath I drank in love. 
{gets up c. ) 

Marcus, {crosses to r. ) Splendid, quite so. I did not 
think it was in you ! Altogether like Tennyson ! Can't 
understand it, don't you know— don't believe anybody 
does — but, by Jove ! you are the last girl I expected to 
turn out a plunger ! The most accomplished flirt — the 
most daring jilt — forgive me for saying so ! 

Mil. {comes down) Go on! I was a woman without 
heart, conscience, or pity. 1 had none for those whose 
love I provoked, and whose devotion I exacted. Oh, the 
shame of it !^ How vile it was! {sits down to fireplace) 

Marcus, (c. ) It is all bygone and buried now ! 

Mil. (l. at fire) Do you think I can forget it---that I 
am not jealous of that past for his sake — jealous of every 
word of love to which I lent a willing ear ? Oh, that my 
tears could wash it all away ! 

Marcus, {crosses round to tea-table) Have you forgotten 
Fred Dacre ? Surely you loved him ? 

Mil. I thought so at the time, but I know better now. 

Marcus. What confessions did you make in the letters 
you wrote to him ? 

Mil. To Fred ? 

Marcus. Yes. 

Mil. He has not preserved them ? 

Marcus. You do him injustice. 

Mil. Are you certain ? 

Marcus. Quite — here they are. ( Millicent turns to 
Marcus) He sent them to me. 

Mil. To you ? 

Marcus. I am his executor. 

Mil. He is not — dead, is he ? {rises) 

Marcus. Read that letter, {hands her the letter. Marcus 
goes up c. back to audience, to window) Can you bestow 
pity on a man who so reviles you ? {points to letter) 



THE JILT. 13 

Mil. He loved me so. {Jiands back letter, sits L. by five^ 

Marcus. What do these letters contain ? 

Mil. The confession of a love-sick girl. 
. Marcus. Your husband has no right to call 3'ou to 
account for what was antecedent to your engagement to 
him. 

Mil. But it was not antecedent. 

Marcus. You mean that you entertained both lovers at 
the same time ? (Millicent wot/.s) Were these letters 
written after you had pledged yourself to your husband ? 

Mil. Yes ; some of them were sent after Fred to Egypt. 
I asked him to forgive me. 1 deplored my fate and our 
poverty. 1 compared the transports of a life in liis arms 
with the repugnance I felt for my sale to a man 1 could 
never endure. 

Marcus. And you did not mean a word of it ? 

Mil. Yes, I did while I wrote, {rises) Yet it was not 
love that prompted me to write. Thirst for admiration is 
to some girls what drink is to you men. We indulge in 
the cup until we cannot live without its excitement. It 
withers all wholesome appetites in our hearts. Prurient 
sentiment soon grows into a craving passion, to satisfy 
which we sacrifice all that is womanly, as 1 have done. 
{goes up c. ) 

Marcus. It is fortunate these letters have been entrusted 
to me. They shall be destroyed. 

Mil. Dacre bequeathed those letters to Sir Budleigh. 
{cro'<se^ to Marcus) 

Marcus. Yes, but no one knows of their existence but 
our two selves. 

Mil. Are you justified in destroying them ? 

Marcus. I am justified in protecting my future sister-in- 
law and the family into which I hope to enter, {bringing 
her down c, kisses her hands) On the day that Miss Wood- 
stock becomes my wife I will hand yoit this packet. 

Mil. Has she accepted you ? 

Marcus. Not exactly. It needs only that Sir Budleigh 
should press my suit. His influence over her heart is 
paramount. 

Mil. As mine is over him. I see ; it is a bargain you 
propose. I am in your power, and I am to be used as an 
instrument to work your ends ? 

Marcus. You misunderstand me. 

Mil. I think not. {goes l.h. ) 

Marcus. I have not made myself clear. 

Mil. So clear that I can see through you. You forget, 
my lord, that we were confederates before I was married. 



14 THE JILT. 

1 know you ; you are the penniless son of a penniless peer. 
Reared in sordid splendour, you live by the turf ; you are 
hopelessly in debt. Kitty is an heiress. Her fortune is the 
price you propose I should pay you for committing a 
breach of trust — that is the English of it. 

Marcus. Then why don't you put it into French? 
English puts so rough a point on things. 1 only want to 
protect you. 

Mil. And I only want to protect that man whose wife I 
am. Not for myself, but for his sake. 

Marcus. That is the way to put it ! Quite so. Let us 
consider him. {gets r. of inano^ 

Bud. {outside) Down, Ponto, down! 

Marcus, {up c, dou7i. to piano) Here he comes. Compose 
yourself ; he will suspect. 

Mil. He never suspects. 

JS'?^^e;•SIRBuDLEIGH. Millioent rims to Jiim. He stops her. 

Bun, Don't touch me. I've been through the stables 
and the kennels, and I'm all over dog. And — oh, Marcus, 
whom do you think I met there ? Myles O'Hara. He 
told me he had been calling on you, so I took the liberty 
of asking him to dinner. I hope, Milly, you will forgive 
me. He is a royally good chap. 

Mil. I have surely heard his name before. 

Bud. Of course you have ; he is the great steei^le-chase 
rider that Fred Dacre used to swear by. (Millioent turns 
away and circles slowly to back of sofa) He owns the great 
Irish horse that stands to win the County cup. {goes to 
sofa) 

Marcus. But your own stable is in that race. Locomotive 
and Thunderbolt are entered. 

Bud. {sits on sofa) Don't back them, Marcus. Mrs. 
Welter, my trainer, says that Locomotive is well named 
because he can't stay ! Haw ! Haw ! And Thunderbolt is 
well named, for no one can ride him. He is such a devil. 

Marcus, {yets hack to fire) He carries Phyllie Welter 
after the hounds, and is like a lamb under her, but no one 
else can handle him. 

Mil. Phyllie Welter, who is she ? {sittiny back of sofa) 

Bud. The sweetest little thing that lives — just a bit of 
sunshine. She is the daughter of my old trainer, who died 
six years ago — too honest to leave a shilling to his widow, 
who begged me to let her run my racing stable until I was 
suited with a man. 

Marcus. She took it in hand in such style that it soon 
stood second to none in NeMmarket. 



THE JILT. 15 

Bud. That woman has an eye and a heart for a 
horse that is a gift. She is Yorkshire in petticoats. 
Haw ! Haw ! Who has Kitty invited to meet ns at dinner 
to-day ? 

Marcus. Colonel Tudor, of course. 

Bun. Uncle Jack ! Bless him ; and Geoff — is he at 
home ? 

Marcus. Yes. 

Bud. I'm glad of that. I love the boy. He's plucky. 
The dogs are fond of him. 

Marcus. So is Phyllie Welter. 

Bud. Nonsense ! They are only a pair of children — play- 
fellows. Geoff is still at Eton, and Phyllie has not cut 
her second teeth. 

Marcus. 1 don't care. Mrs. Welter is blind to what is 
going on between them. 

Bud. (rises mid crosses to Marcus) Phyllie is my ward. 
Lord Marcus. Her mother knows that Geoff is a Wood- 
stock, the son of my father's sister. No one of our blood 
ever wronged a woman or a friend. 

Marcus. I only spoke in fun. 

Bud. I never could see a joke, especially on such subjects. 
I'm such a fool. 

Mil. {advancing to l.c. ) Bud, would you like me to 
ask Miss Welter to dinner ? 

Bud. {catching her in his arms) What an angel you are ! 
I say, Wylie, isn't she ? By Jove, what she ever saw in 
me to stoop down to ! I can't get over it ! 

Mil. Stop it. Bud. 

Bud. I can't; it overflows, don't you know? Wylie 
doesn't mind ! Do you, old man ? (Marcus goes wp r. ) 
Sometimes I forget myself at table and break out before 
the servants or strangers. Then, do j^ou know what she 
does? — haw! haw! — she hands me a spoon— as a hint to 
stop it. Haw ! haw ! a private signal. Haw ! haw ! 

Mil. I shall beg Kitty to have the plate basket placed 
within my reach to-day. ( down l. h. ) 

Bud. Oh, that reminds me of Spooner, our curate. I 
hope he's coming. I can't get on without Spooner — who 
is mildly and hopelessly in love with Kitty. He keeps me 
in countenance. He is an Oxford lout. (Millicent crosses) 
He never could learn to ride. I am a Yorkshire lout, I 
never could learn to spell. We pair off. Haw ! haw ! {hell 
heard, he crosses to Millicent) 

Marcus, {at back c, ) There goes the first dinner-bell. I 
have just time to ride over to my quarters and change my 
dress, if your ladj^ehip will excuse me. 



16 THE JILT. 

Enter Wilcox. 
WiL. {(mnoimcing) Colonel Tviclor. {exit) 
Exit Marcus c. imidow. 

Bud. Uncle Jack ! ( runs up and meets Colonel Tudor, 
as he enters) And g,s fresh as paint. 

Col. Budleigh, my boy, yon are as welcome as the 
foxes in October. Get out of the way. I want to see 
yonr wife, (crosses to Millicent) 

Bud. Milly, this rude old man is Uncle Jack, my 
guardian, the king of trumps. Haw ! haw ! (crosses R. ) 

Col. My dear (takes her hands) will you give me a kiss ? 
(she A-isses him) They tell us you were the reigning belle 
in London — that you had the choice of titles and great 
fortunes, and amongst them all you chose our Bud. We 
do not think any woman good enough for him. 

Bud. Oh! oh'! 

CoL. But you don't look like a woman. ( Budletgh 2//) c. ) 
I never had any clear idea before of what an angel looked 
like. 

Bud. Oh, I say, Milly, why don't you hand Uncle Jack 
a spoon ? (Enter Kitty in di)i7ier dress, with Mrs. 
PiNCOTT, L.H. ) Here's Kitty, with all her harness on. 

Kitty. Mrs. Pincott will show you to your rooms, (at 
back of sofa) I have seen your dresses laid out; they are 
lovel3^ (comes down to Jirej^lace. Colonel Tudor accompanies 
Millicent to door, there kisses her hand with old-fashioned, 
cof/rtesy. He looks after her) 

Bud", (r.c.) Eh, eh, well ? 

Col. ( R. ) Perfect. 

Bud. Haw ! haw ! She was a great prize in London — a 
dozen titles and fortunes at her feet ; but I— the lout, the 
fool, carried her off. Bh ? 

CoL. I wish my son Greoff may get so charming a creature. 

Bud. (fo Kitty) Eh, Kitty? Haw! haw! 

Kitty. So sweet, so gentle. (ExitMnB. Pincott, r u.e. ) 

Bud. (turning from one to the other and beaming with 
delight ) Haw ! haw ! haw ! 

Col. I am in love with her myself ! 

Kitty. She is an angel ! 

Bud. Angel ! They will want her in Heaven for a 
pattern. Everybody worships her. She is not a woman ; 
she is a lovely epidemic. Wait— j^ou wait until she — 

she By Jove ! you will be in for it like me. And to 

think she is mine. Eh ? Mine ! I can't believe it. 
There — it's no use. (going out) Tol-der-rol. Haw! haw I 
haw ! ( struts up very proudly and exits R. ) 



THE JILT. 17 

Kitty. Oh, how he loves her ! Will anybody ever 
love me like that ? {going up, looking after Budleiqh, 
crosses Vi. Colonel " crosses to Jirejjlace) 

CoL. Of course somebody will. You will take her 
place in London next season and be the reigning belle. 

Kitty, {by sofa) Oh, yes, and live in a square, where 
Nature is put into prison for trespass ; and every morning 
I must hgure in a horse show in the Row — where the prize 
animal on parade is the girl ! Live in London, where 
there are no dogs, no flowers ? No, Uncle Jack ! {crosses, 
puts fan on piano) No, no, no! Now listen to my plan. 

CoL. Oh, you have got a plan ? 

Kitty. A sweet one. Now Budleigh is married, he 
won't want me at his heels all day, as I used to be. It's 
no use my whistling to him now. Well, you shall take me 
home to live with you ; you are all alone — so am I. I'll 
be your little housekeeper. We shall wait until Geoffrey 
is through college, and then — I will marry him, and so I 
need never leave the Abbots — never. Isn't that nice ? 

Col. Very fine indeed! {down c. ) My son has not a 
penny. You will have twelve thousand a year. I am your 
guardian, and you ask my consent to throw yourself away 
on a scapegrace! {turning away, l. ) 

Kitty. He isn't. 

Col. a worthless 

Kitty, {following him iqj) Noble fellow ! 

Col. An extravagant, heartless dog ! 

Kitty. Who adores the ground you walk on ! 

CoL. Come to ni}'^ arms ! ( loalk r. to l. ) You know Uncle 
Jack has only four hundred pounds a year ; just enough to 
enable Geoff to hold his head up at Eton, and to put 
him through college. We live in the old Dower House, and 
have the run of the J3udleigh stables. You want to share 
your fortune with us, but you shall not make yourself a 
fool, and me an old scoundrel ! Marry Geoff 

Enter Geoffrey, r.c. 

Geoff, (c. ) Hello! Who's talking of marrying me ? 

Kitty. I was. It was my suggestion. I don't think 
you can do better, {round to top of piano) 

Geoff. Oh ! And when is our match to come off ? 

Kitty. Any time. It don't matter, you know, once it 
is settled, {goes up> c. ) 

Geoff, {lohistles and looks into his father'' s face) Mean- 
while, her fortune puts me through college. 

Col. And I shall set up a four-in-hand ! ( they laugh ) 

Kitty. What is there so ridiculous in the idea ? 



18 THE JILT. 

Geoff, {taking her round the waist, and brings her down) 
Kitty dear, it was just two years ago you scolded me for 
tearing my best trousers, and helped me with my lessons. 

Kitty. I know I am older than you are. 

Geoff. You were then, but you are not now ! Since 
then I have been out in the world, M'here I have seen all 
the likely belles that are coming up. There's nothing like 
you in t]\e lot. I have paraded all the beauties in London. 

Kitty. Oh, Geoff ! Where ? 

Geoff. In the Row and at Lord's. I've looked them all 
over. You could give any one of them seven pounds and 
a beating. You don't realise what you are. You are a 
royal girl. Ain't she, governor ? 

Col. Go on, Geoff ! Hark forrad ! 

Geoff. You will have two hundred thousand pounds. 
You ought to marry a prince, not a snip like me. 

CoL. Just what I said. 

Geoff. I have been looking out among the Dukes and Earls 
at Eton to pick you out a good-shaped one. I have my eye 
on a hne fellow. He is one of our eleven and number 
four in the boat. He saw your photograph in my room, 
he say ? 
he stole it. 

Enter Wilcox. 

Wilcox, {announcim/) The Reverend Mr. Spooner, 
Miss, (general groan) 

Kitty. Already ? ( crosses to fireplace. Geoffrey up c ) 

Geoff. The mild rogue has stolen a march on dinner- 
time, hoping to find you here alone. Dad, I want to 
speak to Kitty. Take him away. Show him the new 
orchids, (passing Colonel in front to r. ) 

Kitty. There are none. 

Geoff. No matter ; show them. He may not know an 
orchid from an artichoke. I don't. 

CoL. No more do I. What is it ? 

Enter Spooner. 

Spoon. Oh, dear Miss Woodstock, I fear I (Kitty 

sits on sofa) 

CoL. Not at all. (meeting him and shaking his ha7id) 
Charmed you have come. The very man we wanted. 
(taking him unwillingly to conservatory) 

Geoff. To show you some lovely orchids, (the Colonel 
hurries him toward conservatory) 

Spoon. I protest — — 

Col. Just arrived ; we wanted your opinion. 

Spoon. But I don't know 



THE JILT. 19 

Geoff. That's the very thing ; an unprejudiced eye. 

Spoon. I do assure you 

Col. This way. (carries him o/f'R.o. ) 

Geoff. Kitty, I am in a mess. ( icatc/wii/ them off and 
returning) 

Kitty. I never knew you otherwise ! 

Geoff. Read that, {hands her a jpaper) 

Kitty. What's this ? 

Geoff. A summons desiring to know Avhy ray friend and 
schoolfellow Roydon Beecher fails to keep certain promises 
he made to pay three thousand four hundred pounds. 
{bangs jjiano) 

Kitty. Gracious, Geoff ! How could boys at Eton get 
into such debt? 

Geoff. Much you know about it. The book-makers of 
the ring and money-lenders swarm around the college, 
ready with credit to any amount, seeking out young 
fellows of eighteen or nineteen, heirs to great fortunes. 

Kitty. How can they justify such an infamous pursuit ? 

Geoff. They call it "cub hunting." 

Kitty. And what have you to do with his debts ? 

Geoff, (takes hold of chair) I backed his bills; you 
understand ? 

Kitty. No, dear. 

Geoff. What fools girls are. (sits across chair l. of jnano) 

Kitty. Yes, dear. 

Geoff. Roydon helped me last year when I went a mucker 
over the St. Leger, you remember? 

Kitty. Yes, I wanted to help you, but you wouldn't let me. 

Geoff. Borrowing from girls is bad form. 

Kitty. I could have invented some excuse to get it from 
Uncle Jack. 

Geoff. A nice transaction that would have been for me. 

Kitty. I beg your pardon, dear. 

Geoff. Well, three months ago Roydon asked me as a 
mere form to put my name to some bills. I could not 
refuse it, could I ? 

Kitty. I suppose not. (goes to chair l. ) 

Geoff. They were flea-bites to him ; the son of Ricketts, 
Beecher and Goldshed, the great bankers. 

Kitty. Was he the son of all three? (rises) 

Geoff. Bosh ! Ricketts and Goldshed died out of the 
firm last century. Old Beecher is all in one ! Well, the 
bank went up last week. 

Kitty. Went up ! Where to ? ( 7noves to sofa ) 

Geoff. Smash ! 

Kitty. Oh 



20 THE JILT. 

Geoff. Roydon's father is in tiie Gazette and the 
money-lenders are down on me, 

Kitty. Oh ! Isn't that dreadful ? 

Geoff. Awful 1 

Kitty. Cannot young Beecher help you ? 

Geoff. He has given me his book. 

Kitty. Ah ! Has he written a book ? 

Geoff. No. Oh, what a two-year-old you are — his 
betting-book. He stands to wins five thousand on Thunder- 
bolt. ( rises ) 

Kitty. Our horse ! 

Geoff. Oh, if I could only land that bet — or if I— I — 
could pull off enough to clear me. You can help me 

Kitty. How, Geoffrey ? {he briuf/s Kitty doiim, c. ) 

Geoff. A man is dining here to-day ; he knows every 
stable secret. You have heard of the great sporting 
prophet *' Referee " ? Everybody knows Referee. If he 
will give me the straight tip, he can make my fortune. 

Kitty. Has he made his own ? 

Geoff. No. He is as poor as a stable mouse ; he never 
bets. He saj's he has no money to lose. 

Kitty. Wliat does he do on the turf, then ? 

Geoff. He is a gentleman rider. He rides for the stakes 
and the love of the thing, just as Budleigh keeps our stable. 
Now you can help me to get hold of Referee, (sofa, r. H. ) 

Kitty. What do you want me to do ? 

Geoff. Go for him ! Mash him ! 

Kitty. How ? 

Geoff. There are facilities that are the natural gifts of 
your sex, and on these subjects a girl of nineteen could 
plough the Colleges at Oxford auvd is up to more than 
would break the ring at Newmarket. 

Miter Wilcox, b.c. 

Wilcox. Mr. Myles O'Hara. (JEnter Myles, r.c, in 
evening dress) 

Geoff, (crosses c. to him, meeting him) Sir Budleigh and 
Lady Woodstock are behind time a little, so allow me to 
name myself their cousin, Geoffrey Tudor. How do you 
do ? This is Miss Woodstock, {leadinij Myles to her) 

Kitty. I think we have met before. 

Myi«es. I should not presume to remember it. 

Geoff. Why, Kitty, you never— told me j^ou had met 

Kitty. It was only for a moment, but I must admit Mr. 
O'Hara made the most of it. 

Myles. {crosses to Kitty) I trust you forgive my 
embracing the opportunity ? 



THE JILT. 21 

Geoff. ( aside, doivn r. ) By Jove ! she has hooked him 
first throw. 

Eriter Sir Budleioh, r,, Lady Millicent and Mrs. 

PiNCOTT. 

Bud. (m/>c. fo Millicent) Here we are ! Ah, Mr. O'Hara, 
I am glad to see you. Let me present you to Lady 
Woodstock. 

Mil. You are very good to come to us in this informal way. 

Myles. {crosses c. to Millicent) In affording me this 
opportunity to kiss your hand, Sir Budleigh has made me 
the happiest man in the world, bar one. {hows to Sir 
Budleigh ) 

Bud. Where's Uncle Jack ? (enter Spooner, tv/io has a 
bouquet, and Colonel) Here you are. How do, Spooner ? 
Our curate, my love, {eyiter Footmen, r. ) Rather short- 
sighted, but a splendid fellow. 

Enter Wilcox, r.c. ; Spoon f.r shortsightedly shakes 
hands 2vith him. Enter Lord Marcus, c. Spooner 
shakes hand with him effusively. Bus. Lord Marcus 
with eyeglass. 
Wilcox. Dinner is served, my lady. 

Bud. {doivn c. ) Are you all here ? Where is Phyllie ? 

Mrs. Pin. I've sent the dog-oart for her. Sir Budleigh. 

Bud. Well, she will drop in by-and-bye. We won't wait 

for her, eh ? Haw ! haw ! Lord Marcus, will you take her 

ladyship ? Mr. O'Hara, give your arm to my sister. We 

are short of v;omen, so Uncle Jack and I will pair off. 

Enter Phyllis ; Sir Budleigh starts np c. to Colonel. 
Bud. Oh, here's Phyllie at last. Spooner is in luck, 
haw! haw! {exeunt arm in arm) 
Spoon. With pleasure. 

Geoffrey seizes Phyllis, and takes off her shawl, 
embraces her, a. 

Geoff, {aside to her) Phyllie, I am so hungry — ^oh, and 
you look good enough to eat ! 

Phyl. Oh! Geoff, don't! {erit; Spoo^JER offers his arm. 
Geoffrey throws her 7vrap over it, a7ul goes out with 
Phyllis c a^rd r. ) 

Spoonkr. Allow me to present! {offering bouquet ^o Mrs. 
Pincott, who takes it with a low cjtrtesy ; perceivi^ig his 
mistake, he snatches it from her with an e.rclamation : "Oh ! " 
and, throwing shawl over her head, goes out o. and l. ) 

Quick Curtain. 

End of Act I. 



ACT II. 

Scene. — The same as 'preceding Act. Night. Shaded lamjjs 
and candles lighted. Kitty is at piano^ playing^ Phyllis 
is Stated at card-table c, at the other Millicent leaning 
over her l. of Phyllis. 

See liftle table removed. Quartette on piano. Card-table 
and candles brongJit forward. Lamps lit and Limes 
changed. Card for Wilcox. Fink Lime in Conser- 
vatory. Take cue for Curtain from Kitty. 

Phy. (c. telling fortunes) There is that dark man again ! 
And a letter from across the water, bringing trouble to this 
heart woman. 

Mil. It is very strange. 

Kit. (at piano, laughing) Surely you place no faith in the 
hocus-pocus of that little gipsy ? 

Enter Wilcox, r. 

Phv. Oh ! here is a marriage between a knave and a 
diamond woman. 

Kit. Did you tell Sir Budleigh coffee was waiting ? 

WiL. Yes, Miss. 

Phy. These two women have some trouble over a letter. 
I cannot understand it. 

Mil. I can. 

WiL. (crosses to l.) Here is a party waiting outside, Miss, 
as wants to see Mr. Geoffrey. 

Kit. Of course you replied that he was at dinner ? 

WiL. I did. Miss, but he said if he gave his name Mr. 
Geoffrey would know what was the matter. 

Kit. Did he give you his name ? 

WiL. Here is his card, Miss. 

Kit. (rises, comes doivn l., reads) "James Daisy and Co., 
early birds and straight tippers. Stable secrets always on 
hand. Students at college, under age, meet liberal treat- 
ment. Young England is our motto." 

Phy. Old Bailey would be a better fit. 

Wil. What shall I say, Miss ? 

Phy. Tell him to hook it. 

Kit. Phyllis ! you are a little horror ! (up to Phyllis ; to 
Wilcox.) You had better take the. card to Mr. Geoffrey. 
(exit Wilcox) My dear child, you must not use the dreadful 



THE JILT. 23 

expressions you pick up in the stables. You do say such 
awful things, {cyosses towarch c.) 

Phy. Yes, I know I'm off-colour. Geoff is always down 
on me about it. 

Mil. Horsey slang is all the go in London. The men 
like it. Miss Welter would make the hit of the season, her 
style would be voted original. They would say she was chic. 

Phy. The Mater says I have too much. 

Mil. Have you never been to school ? 

Phy. {ihroirmff down the cards) No ! Poor Dad was too 
fond of me to let me out of his sight. He liked to see me 
running about the place. 

Kit. ((yrosses to Phyllis) Phy Hie was cradled in a man- 
ger. She passed her childhood on horseback, and before she 
arrived at her teens she became the spoiled child of the 
hunting-field. 

Phy. {rises r.c.) Because with my feather-weight and 
light hand I could ride such thoroughbred flyers as Thunder- 
bolt. Oh I he's a devil ! And I do like to feel a devil 
under me ! It makes my heart beat when he gets mad, and 
we have it out together. But when he does go it is like 
going to Heaven, (crosses to R. corner) 

Mil. How old are you ? 

Phy. Seventeen. 

Mil. Have you arrived at that age without experiencing 
the first germ of woman's life ? 

Phy. Never had a germ ! What is it like ? 

Mil. Have you met no one whose presence stirred your 
heart as if a breeze had whispered through its chords, 
whose voice renders yours breathless ? (Kitty sits in chair 
by fire) 

Phy. Ah ! I know all about that. Mr. Spooner reads it 
to Kitty and me out of the " Idylls of the King," as we lie 
out under the cedars. We adore the " Idylls " ! We named 
the peacock " Launcelot," and one of the pigs we called 
"Maud," because she was always coming into the garden. 
{up to piano) 

Mil. Have you never had a sweetheart 1 

Phy. Lord, no ! I'd have no use for one ; besides I don't 
think Geoff would like it. {gets R. of table ; carelessly pushes 
cards together) 

Mil. Ah ! Has he told you so ? 

Phy. No ; but last Friday I was out with the hounds, 
when Thunderbolt put his foot in a hole, and I came a 
cropper. Tom Brandon picked me up and put me together ; 
as he was lifting me into the saddle, he kissed me. 
Mil. (laughing) Did you object ? 



24 THE JILT. 

Phy. No, bub Geoff did ; he rode up just in time— and, 
oh my ! 

Kit. They had some words ? 

Phy. Very few — they fought. GeoflF licked him, and 
made me cry. 

Mil. Because he thrashed your admirer ? 

Phy. No, I did not mind that (puts down cards and gets 
to piano)^ but as he took me home he called me such horrible 
names ! I could not help what Tom did, could I ? It was 
rough on both of us for a little thing like that, {goes up a 
little) 

Mil. But you are not sorry Geoff thought so much of it, 
and you have liked him better ever since ? 

Phy. I could not like him better, (goes up to conservator g) 

Mil, The open heart of this girl, like the odour of an 
English hawthorn bush in bloom, makes her presence sweet. 
She does me good, (crosses to l. of piano. Kitty goes into 
conservatory with Phyllis) 

Enter Sir Budleigh, Myles, and Colonel Tudor, 
Wylie and Spooner. Wilcox cuid Servants assist in 
handing round the coffee. 

Bud. (crosses to Millicent) Haw ! Haw ! By Jove, 
Milly ! Mr. O'Hara has made a sensation in your house- 
hold. His presence demoralised the servants at dinner, 
who mixed the courses. 

Col. T. (crosses to fire) The rogues were listening in ex- 
pectation that he Avould let drop a straight tip. 

Bud. And as we left the dining-room we flushed a covey 
of maids gathered outside on the stairs to catch a glimpse 
of the Star of the Turf. Haw, haw ! (Marcus leaves 
Spooner and crosses behind card-table to sofa ; Kitty gets ii. 
of piano, foUou-ed by Myles) 

Wylie, tvJio entered with Spooner, quits his side to 
attach himself to Kitty. Spooner, unable to perceive 
this move, mistakes for Wylie a footman %vho is offer- 
ing him a cup of coff'ee. Another footman is liandiiuj 
liqueurs round to guests. Kitty gets down r., Myles 
following her. 

Spoon. You must have observed, my dear Lord Marcus 
(Marcus goes up r.) that the passion for racing has obtained 
a pernicious extension amongst the servile classes. The 
turf receives the countenance of royalty, so, of course, it 
is an orthodox pastime for the rich, but when indulged in by 
footmen and half-crown people of that kind 

Kit. (to Myles, aside) Poor James ! how awkward ! 



THE JILT. 25 

Spoon. It becomes a social evil. (Myles intervenes, taking 
the cup from Footman and his place, dismisses him. The 
Footman retires) These uneducated persons ape the vices of 
their betters. When I say vices — of course if a man can 
afford them, it alters the case. 

My. Altogether — entirely. 

Spoon, {taking the cup of coffee) Oh, dear ! it is Mr. 
O'Hara. How good of you ! Quite entirely too good. 
(Marcus gets to settee l.) 

Kit. (aside to Myles) Thank you ! 

Bud. What say you to a hand of cards ? (getting o. 
Phyllis gets k. of table) or shall we adjourn to the billiard 
room ? O'Hara, you, Phyllie, and I will play a match 
against Lord Marcus, Kitty, and the Colonel. Spooner can 
mark the game. (Sir Budleigh crosses up to Colonel 
Tudor) You p^ay, of course, (going out, hits Spooner on 
back) 

My. I am ashamed to confess to some skill at most of the 
accomplishments by which birds of prey get their living. 

Kit. You would not have us believe that you are one. 

My. (has taken up cards ; Phyllis comes down) No ; but 
I frequent the clubs where they perch and their nests in 
the stable. Pauper lords and penniless younger sons — the 
confidence men of fashion, who live in style on nothing 
a year. 

Kit. How do they do that 1 

My. Draw a card, (she draivs one) It is not the five of 
hearts, is it ? 

Kit. Yes, it is. Oh— that's a trick ! (Sir Budleigh is up 
R. with Spooner) 

My. Did you see how it was done ? 

Kit. No ! 

My. That is how they do it ! (crosses to b..) 

Mil. You would make your fortune as a conjurer. 

My, What would I do with a fortune, with never a human 
creature to share it with me, barriii' Ballinahinch 1 (crosses to 
fire) I have no family to support, no pretence to maintain. 
So long as I wear my poverty frankly, I've got an indepen- 
dence. 

Mar. Do you never play for money ? 

My. Never. I have none to lose. (Marcus ofers his arm 
to MiLLiCENT and. they exit l.) 

Phy. (crosses behind Kitty to Myles, taking his arm) We 
can play for love. 

My. I'm in funds. 

Phy. What shall be the game ? (crossing c. in front of 
table and up r.c.) 



26 THE JILT. 

My. Beggar my neighbour. 
Phy. Oh ! that is a child's game at cards. 
My. I find all games end with beggar my neighbour in 
the long run. 

Phy. {passing Kitty, says aside to Jier) I like him. 
Kit. (aside to her) So do I. 

Enter Geoffrey /rom conservatory. Exeunt Myles and 
Phyllis l.u.e. As Kitty is goincf out, Geoffrey 
stops her. 

Geo. Kitty ! (catching hold of her dress) 

Kit. Oh, Geoff, what is the matter? 

Geo. That fellow Daisy has arrived with a judgment 
against me. He threatens to call upon my father. 

Kit. I will see the man and assure him he will be paid. 

Geo. (looks off at liack) No, he is half drunk and not fit 
for you to speak to. Lord Marcus can get rid of him, and 
Marcus will do anything for you. 

Kit. What does the man want ? 

Geo. Here he is — go in there and listen. (Kitty crosses 
hack of table to conservatory ; Geoffrey sits on settee r. 
Kitty retires behind sJiriibs in conservatory) 

Enter Mr. Daisy. 

Mr. D. May I come in ? Well, have you seen your 
governor ? Will he stump up ? (to piano c.) 

Geo. (lighting cigarette) Where is he to find three thoUvSand 
eight hundred pounds ? All he jDossesses in the world would 
nit suttice to pay it. 

Mr. D. What's the matter with your family, they won't 
make up a purse to save the name from disgrace in the 
newspapers ? That were the hexpectations as Daisy and Co. 
discounted. What did they mean by passing you off for a 
young swell, putting you up at Heton, giving you the biggest 
kind of show, to take in a square man like me ? They have 
got to justify themselves afore the public. Heverybody 
took you for a heir to some big property 1 Who was to 
know you was a wig 1 (down l. corner) 

Geo. You knew that I was the pound of flesh nearest my 
father's heart, and you speculated upon that. 

Mr. D. Ain't there some other way out of the business 
than bringing trouble to your folks ? 

Geo. I wish I could see it. (sits on sofa) 

Mr. D. {up to card-table) Then look here. O'Hara arrived 
here to-day with Ballinahinch. We never lose sight of him. 
We know all his moves, (puts hat on table) Now the York- 
shire Cup lies between his Irish horse and Sir Budleigh's 
Locomotive. 



THE JILT. 27 

Geo. And O'Hara will win it. 

Mr. D. Oh ! if we could only sell the race we would give 
him ten thousand. Nobody would suspect him of doing it 
with such a character for honourable conduct as he has got. 
(advances l. of table) What's the use of it if he don't make it 
pay ? But there ! he won't listen. You might as well talk 
business to the Harchbishop of York, (turning away to 
piano) 

Geo. Have you tried him ? 

Mr. D. (leaning on piano) We sent Spicer to him last 
week : he opened the subject, O'Hara changed it. 

Geo. What did Spicer report ? 

Mr. D. The last report was, he would be out in a month. 

Geo. Do you propose that I should try to induce Mr. 
O'Hara to meet your views ? 

Mr. D. (puts hat and stick on table ; advancing to 
Geoffrey behind table) No. There's another way. You 
are an Iiinsider, and could work the horacle. If you took a 
stroll in the stable nobody would look at you, and if you 
handled the bridle on the morning of the race (sits cross on 
chair) no one would suspect a gent like you of anything 
wrong. 

Geo. No. 

Mr. D. And to paint the bit with a little bottle of stuff 
I'd give you would not take a minute — a minute worth 
five thousand pounds. 

Geo. You mean that I should poison the brute ? 

Mr. D. What do you take me for ? No. Just make him 
a bit sleepy. D'ye see ? Ha, ha I 

Geo. Ha ! ha ! ha ! 

Mr. D. What d'ye say 1 

Geo. I say that we cannot pursue the subject in (both rise) 
this house and with ladies in the next room — but if you 

come outside I wouldn't take a minute to paint your bit 

(advances on him ; Mr. Daisy retires quickly ronmd piano to 
top) 

Enter Lord Marcus Wylie, l. 

Mar. Daisy, what brings you here ? 

Geo. (crosses to card-table) A. little business with me. 

Mar. Take my advice, Geoff — have no dealings with this 
fellow. 

Mr. D. I wish he had took your advice before he ran 
nigh four thousand pounds in my debt. 

Mar. (comes down to piano up to Mr. Daisy) And you 
have the impudence to intrude on this gentleman here — ■ 
into this house — in pursuit of this claim ? 



28 THE JILT. 

Mr. D. Oh, if he prefers it I will call upon his father 
to-morrow. (Geoffrey advances c.) 

Mar. {to Geoffrey) Let me deal with this scoundrel. 
Go, join the party in the billiard room. (Geoffrey arm in 
arm up to door l.) I will settle this matter for you. And, 
my dear boy, be more prudent in future, for your father's 
sake. 

Geo. Oh, Lord Marcus, I have no claim upon you to 
assist me. 

Mar. Not yet ; but I hope to establish one. 

Geo. (aside to him) Kitty ? 

Mar. Yes. 

Geo. By Jove, old fellow ! You little suspect how deep 
an impression you are making upon her at this moment. 

Mar. Leave us. 

Geo. {going) Shall I tell him she is there listening to his 
defence of her 1 No, let her hear what a good chap he is. 
(exit L.) 

Mar. Well, did you approach him on the stable question? 

Mr. D. Yes, and he was approaching me when you came 
in. {ivatching Geoffrey off) 

Mar. {at jive) If we could get his hand into this business 
it would strengthen mine. If both Geoff and Budleigh 
were at my mercy she would show me some. 

Ready laugh. 

Mr. D. And be quick about it. Our firm, Daisy and Co. 
(of which you are the Co.), can't last a month. And if 
James Daisy goes up, you have got to go with him. {np stage) 

Mar Curses on the day I formed any connection with 
such a blackguard, (walkhig up and down l.) 

Mr. D. That's where it is ! That's my security ! Arjd 
the more scaly the transactions we shared in the better for 
me ! But what's the use of our quarrelling 1 How are you 
getting on with the heiress ? What chance have we of 
fingerin' her fortune ? 

Mar. {at fireplace) I hold a secret concerning the past 
life of Sir Budleigh's bride that places her in my power. 
(laugh — a peal of laughter from the billiard room is heard) 
I could turn her laughter into tears if I placed these letters 
of hers before that infatuated fool. 

Mr. D. Oh, oh ! Letters of hers, {about to light cigar by 
candle ; Marcus throws it away) 

Mar. She dare not face them. She has confessed it, and 
through her influence I can secure the hand of Sir 
Budleigh's sister. 

Mr. D. Never mind the hand — what's in it ? 



THE JILT. 29 

Mar. Quarter of a million. 

Mr. D. Juinpin' Moses ! What a stable you can keep ! 
Eh ! What am I to do with this boy ? 

Mar. Screw him tight. The more he squeals the better 
I shall look in Kitty's eyes when I release him. Every 
little helps, (crosses r., then to l.) 

Mr. D. You know we stand to lose a pot of money if 
Ballinahinch should win. 

Mar. He shall lose, (up c.) I own one-half share in him. 
Dacre is dead and leaves me his interest in the horse. I 
will buy the other half from O'Hara, cost what it may. 
(crosses to i,.) 

Mr. D. If he won't sell 

Mar. Then we must disable the brute. I have access to 
the stable now, and no one will suspect me of nobbling my 
own animal. 

Mr. D. (r.c.) If I could only pass my hand over the 
animal— first pet him — I'd put him on the retired list, and 
nobody would know he had been nobbled. 

Mar. Your appearance in or around the (at door u.e.l.) 
stables would produce the effect of a kite over a farmyard. 
Be off, you scoundrel, and wait my instructions, (exiti,.) 

Mr. D. (follows him up) Certainly, my lord. Anything 
you direct-all right — good evening — scoundrel yourself. 
If you have the bride in your power, I have you in mine. 
You own half the animal, but I own one-half of you 1 Wait 
till I put the screw on, my lord. The blackguard will make 
you squeal, (goes up, looking after Marcus and exit l.) 

Enter Kitty to top of piano. 

Kit. I cannot believe it ! Oh, the vileness of it all. 
What kind of woman can Millicent be to serve as the accom- 
plice of such a man to deceive my brother and to sell {look- 
ing after Wylie) me to that ! Oh, he said, "I hold 

secrets concerning the past life of Sir Budleigh's bride that 
place her in my power." (rises) Millicent at that man's 
mercy ! Then God help my brother ! And he is so happy, 
so happy ! What can I do ? In whom can I trust ? Oh ! 
(throivs herself on her knees at the sofa and bursts into tears) 
My darling ! I would give my life to save yours ! 

Elder Myles ; comes down l. He does not remark her jjresence. 

My. I believe I have got the distemper. I have all the 
symtoms of the great complaint. The contagion of a couple 
of blue eyes and a pair of red lips has turned every drop of 
blood in my body into wine, and my sowl is dhrunk ! (going 
by R. of table) 



30 THE JILT. 

Kit. (sobbing) Oh ! Oh ! 

My. (up to sofa) What is that? Herself ! What's the 
matter, Miss Woodstock, are you ill ? 

Kit. No, no ! 

My. {(jets L. of her) You are in trouble, and I have no 
right to l3eg a share of it. Somebody has hurt you, and I 
must stand by and ate my heart. 

Kit. I cannot tell you what it is. Oh, I am so helpless 
and so friendless. Where, to whom can I turn ? 

My. Don't turn ! Look straight before you. Let me 
stand between you and harm. 

Kit. I have no claim on you. 

My. Make one ! Do ! Regard me as a bit of wild pro- 
perty, good for nothing, belonging to nobody. Drive out 
your sorrows on to it. Give me them to take care of. I'll 
ask no wages, never fear, but serve you to the last inch of 
my life. Ah ! you think that a long draft on so short an 
acquaintance. 

Kit. No, no. Oh ! what could you do ? 

My, I don't know. Do you want anybody killed ? 

Kit. Oh ! Mr. O'Hara ! 

My. The hound that follows your heel, hearing an angry 
word, or seeing a hand lifted against you, would fly at the 
throat of your foe. Well, is it too much to ask you to treat 
me like a dog ? 

Kii". If I had known you longer. 

My. Ah, if you were drowning and you saw me ready to 
jump into the vvatber and catch you in my arms to save your 
life, would you ask me to wait until we were better 
acquainted ? 

Kit. No. (giving Jiini both her handa) 1 will trust you. My 
heart tells me I may. 

My. (sits on sofa) God bless it. 

Kit. I have been deceived and by such a serpent. 

My. The first woman made the same complaint. It runs 
in the female family. 

Kit. Do you know Lord Marcus well ? 

My. Lord Marcus Wylie ! Well, no, not altogether. By 
reputation only. You must not believe all you hear. 

Kit. He is a scoundrel. 

My. (rising) I beg your pardon ? 

Kit. (apologetic) Perhaps I ought to beg yours. I know 
the word is not ladylike. 

My. Not at all ; it is comprehensive and perspicuous. It 
takes him in. 

Kit. He took me in. Oh, surely such men are exceptions. 
(Myles rises) Where in the world are they tolerated ? 



THE JILT. 31 

My. Upon the race-course and the stock-exchange. They 
are the camp followers of adventure and enterprise. 

Kit. He is part owner of your favourite. He intends 
your horse shall lose the race. 

My. Not if 1 ride him (crosses l. ) 

Kit. He will take care you never shall. He intends to 
disable Ballinahinch. 

My. You have been deceived. 

Kit. He was here just now, conferring with his partner, 
Mr. "Daisy. 

My. The devil ! I beg your pardon. 

Kit. (rises) The word is comprehensive and perspicuous, 
it takes him in. I overheard their plans. 

My. To get at my beauty ? 

Kit. "Nobble" was the term he used, ((jets down r. of 
table) 

My. You heard that ? 

Kit. Yes. (crosses r.) 

My. I am not surprised at the condition I found you in. 

Kit. That is not all ! 

My. What can be worse ? 

Kit. (up to Myles) Millicent, my sister, is — I could not 
understand how — in the power of Lord Marcus. 

My. Lady Woodstock ? 

Kit, It is something connected with Mr. Dacre, to whom 
she was engaged before she married Bud. (crosses to chair l.) 

My. (crosses r,, aside) Tare alive I She is the jilt. 

Kit. They dragged her and me into (enter Millicent) 
their scheme. My fortune is their object. I overheard 
their infamous traffic, (crosses l.) where my sister's good 
name was handled as an asset, and my brother's honor 
valued as a security. 

Mil. (o. l. advancing to table) Are you speaking of me to 
this gentleman ? 

My. Yes, Lady Woodstock, and I find we are better 
acquainted than I dhramed. (Kitty sits by fire) I was bosom 
friend of Fred Dacre. The lad had no secrets from me. 
I lived in his heart and knew every throb of it. I have 
helped him many a night to cry over the cruel letters he got 
from (Millicent sits on sofa) Milly Dash wood. Believe me, 
I had no idea this morning that I was bringing these same 
letters here to her home. 

Kit. I am sure of that, (crosses to Millicent, and sits 
beside her) 

My. (crosses c.) But it gives me the right to defend you 
both from the consequences, (sits l. of table) Regard me as a 
doctor called in. You know when lives are in danger 



32 THE JILT. 

delicacy is waste of time. So, forgive me if, to diagnose 
your complaint, I ask you to show me your heart. 

Mil. Dacre has confided my letters to Lord Marcus, with 
directions to hand them to Sir Budleigh, 

My. Oh, Fred ! Fred ! that was a mane thing to do. 
{down R.) 

Mil. If my husband reads that record, his love for me will 
be turned to contempt. He will feel the abhorrence I have 
been taught to feel for myself. 

Kit. (embracing her) Whatever you have been, you are 
now Bud's wife. Soul of his own soul, transfigured by his 
love. 

Mil. He believes in me so utterly. (Myles rises) 

Kit. And to break his delusion would be to break his 
heart. I know him. He would go into the gun-room and 
make an end of it. {at fire) 

Enter Sir Budleigh from billiard room with a cue. 
Kitty and Millicent start. Millicent rises, crosses 
to R. of table ; Kitty to fireplace ; Myles at piano l. 
of it ; business with music. 

Bui). Where are you ? Why can't you come into the 
billiard-room, where I can see you and hear what you are 
talking about ? By Jove, I was getting jealous of Kitty 
having you all to herself. I began to feel as miserable as a 
dog in a crowd that had lost his master. Oh ! why, Milly, 
what is this ? (crosses to Millicent ; takes her down ; face 
aoerted ; looks to M.Yij)^ii for explanatio)i ; he is occupied tvith 
the lamp to avoid Sir Budleigh's observation) Kitty, has 
anything happened between you two 1 ( crosses to Kitty and 
draws her to him) Come here to me, both of you. Look into 
my face, my two angels. What is the matter ? What has 
brought tears into your eyes 1 

Kit. You ! What other matter could there be ? 

Bud. But I am not an exciting subject. 

Kit. Yes, you are, when you come bothering us ! Can't 
two girls be left in peace to have a comfortable cry but you 
must want your share ? (crosses past Sir Budleigh to 
Millicent and walking arm in arm r.c. ) 

Bud. Haw, haw ! I'll go away if you will give me your 
glove. It will be something for the dog to carry in his 
mouth, don't you know, (kisses her glove) 

Kit. Oh, you great big (putting her arms round him) 

Mil. Foolish (embracing him on the other side) 

Bud. Haw, haw ! 

Kit. Stupid ! 

Bud. Haw, haw ! 



THE JILT. 33 

Kit. Darling old clear I (the two girls lay their heads on 
his breast and crii) 

Bud. Haw ! haw ! haw ! I say, O'Hara, women are 
wonderful things, I don't understand them, do you ? D'ye 
see how I am buried ? 

My. (r. of piano) I'd die this minute to get such a funeral. 
(goes up c. and shakes Sir Budleigh hy the hand) 

Miter Lord Marcus l. 

Mar. It is getting late, and I am on guard at the barracks 
to-night. Our Colonel is so strict, I must tear myself away. 
Lady Woodstock, we are so grateful to you for this charming 
evening ! (to O'Hara) Your inn is on my road ; shall we 
walk together ? 

My. With pleasure. 

Enter Phyllis, the Colonel, Geoffrey, and Spooner. 

Col. T. (donm l.) If Mr. O'Hara will take up his quarters 
at the Dower House we will make him royally welcome ; eh, 
Geoff ? (Spooner goes to K itty on balcony. Kitty leaves it 
and gradnally goes doum l.c. to speak to O'Hara) 

Geo. (at fire) Do, sir. The racing stables adjoin our 
paddock. Why don't you let Mrs. Welter have your horse 
to train ? (joins Phyllis and Spooner in balcony) 

Bud. (crosses to Myles r c.) No, no ! We have got pos- 
session of him, and that is nine points of the law. (gets to 
c, then to R. ) He shall stay here at the Abbots. Tell Pin- 
cott to prepare a room and send the dog-cart for his luggage. 
(joins group in balcony) 

My. Impossible ; I am due in Newmarket to-morrow. 

Kit. (comes down c. l. ; aside to him) Doctor, you forget 
the case you have undertaken — forgive me if I remind you 
that, when lives are in danger, delicacy is waste of time— so 
{offering her hand) take your retaining fee. (going up) Mr. 
O'Hara will remain. 

All. Bravo ! 

Spoon. So glad. 

My. (aside) I tried to escape from Paradise, but the 
Angel wouldn't let me. (gets to piano) 

Enter Wilcox and Footman with overcoat and hat. 

Bud. (to Marcus) So sorry, old man, you are obliged to 
go (Geoffrey and Phyllis down to piatio) We were about 
to have a little music and a round game. But when duty 
calls 

Kit. AVe could not think of detaining you. 



34 THE JILT. 

Mar. Oh, perhaps I could run the risk. 
Kit. On no account. The Colonel is so strict. Good- 
night ! Happy dreams ! 
All. Good-night ! 
Mar. {chop-fallen) Good-night, {exit r.) 

During this the Colonel has seated hitnself at card table 
to play cribhage. Phyllis and Geoffrey at the piano 
are selecting pieces of music and squabbling over the 
choice. Wilcox and Servants come in with trays on 
which are decanters, soda-water, and boxes of cigars. 

Bud. Take a cigar to smoke on the road I {tie turns to 
Millicent, who is at the fireplace, embracing her) 

Geo. Come here, Kitty, and play this accompaniment. 
{M.YLY.S packs up cards r. of table) 

Phy. Oh, I hate that duet. This is nicer. 

Geo. You are so jolly obstinate. 

Phy. You want your own way in everything. 

Geo. Shut up ! (Colonel gets to l. of card table) 

Phy. I shan't I (Butler supplies Colonel with drinl) 

Spoon, {comes down r. of table, aside to Myles) I have a 
friend who is anxious to invest a trifle on the Nursery 
Stakes. (Myles chuckles aside) Have you formed any idea of 
what is likely to win ? I know nothing of such matters 
myself. (Butler and Servant get to l.c.) 

My. Let him back Mascot for a place. 

Spoon. Mascot, an outsider, 40 to 1 ! Oh, thanks ! I'll 
put a little pot upon 

My. Eh? 

Spoon, {sits at card table) I mean I'll telegraph my friend. 

CoL. T. Come, Spooner, give me my revenge. (Geoffrey 
fetches Kitty doivn from balcony and places her on mnsic'stool) 

WiL, {handing Myles cigars and soda) Them in the small 
box I venture to recommend. 

My. You are very good. 

Enter Mrs. Pincott r. with candle. 

WiL. A. little whiskey and soda, sir. That's some old Irish 
whiskey, sir. I thought I'd bring it. (Kitty begins to play 
accompani m e > it ) 

My. Most thoughtful of you. 

WiL. I beg your pardon, sir, for making so bold, but we 
did hear Polly Heckles was a safe thing for the Hoaks. 
(Footman r. of Myles endeavours to hear) 

My. Safe to lose. 

WiL. Oh ! {retires and Footman to l.c. at back. Two 
Footmen tvith lighted candles appear at billiard-room door) 



THE JILT. 35 

My. They are all in it. 

Col. T. Two for his heels, {marks the game. Mrs. Pincott 
holds lip a candle for Myles to light his cigar) 

Mrs. p. Would you like a fire in your room, sir ? 

My. I thank you : no. 

Mrs. p. I have sent for your luggage to the Inn. 

My. You are too kind. 

Mrs. p. My son would like to put a five-pound note on 
the Cup. 

My. {aside) Oh I the old woman wants a tip. Oh, York- 
shire ! Yorkshire ! the county complaint is in your old bones. 
{aloud) My dear old lady, let him back the favoiuite to lose. 

Mrs. p. What is the favourite ? 

My. I don't know. I spake on general principles, {he 
advances to the jnano and stands behind Kitty, leaning 
over her. ^he looks np at him, smiling. The song continues) 

Spoon. Fifteen two, fifteen four, and a pair is six. {rnarks) 

Col. T. And a sequence you had failed to discover, so I 
mark it. Ha I ha ! {first verse of Quartette) 

Bud. Milly, my queen, this is your first night at home. 
Are you happy ? 

Mil. Oh yes, happy, so happy. 

The act drop descends on the group, ivhile the so7ig is still 
in progress and the game is going on. The group of 
Servants at the back are eagerly communicating to, 
each other the advice given them by Myles. Sir Bud- 
LEIGH and Millicent advance to watch the game for 
second tableau. 

End of Act II. 



ACT III. 

Scene. — The keepincf-room in Mrs. Welter's house. 

Mrs. Welter discovered counting money at secretary r. 
A tea-table laid c.r. See chair 1 foot from desk., and 
chair L.c. Banknotes. Music for curtain. 

Mrs. W. (r.) Eight hundred— and fifty — nine hundred — 
and fifty. I can't make it come out right ; there shmild be 
four thousand ! If Phyllis was home she would figure it. I 
wonder why she asked me to go to Wakefield this morning 
and draw all our savings out of the bank, £4,000, her little 
fortune ! Oh ! {Hste7is) here she comes ; the dogs have 
nosed her, bless her heart, (going up to window at back) I 
hear the cattle rumblin' in their stalls. The whole yard 
gets alive when she lights. And she do enjoy her four 
o'clock tea when she comes in hot and tired, (exit door r. 

H.U.E.) 

Salter Daisy by door in l. 

Mr. T>. (down l.c.) What a comfortable sweet smell of 
tea and toast I How tidy the place is, and it's all got the 
hair of being paid for ! What is going to become of it when 
Phyllis gets married ; the old woman will lose the only 
hinwestment she has in life. Why can't she take a little 
stock in me ? (examines plate on table) Solid silver, hall- 
marked ! (crosses to secretary down r.) What's here — bank 
notes ! Bundles of them ! (counts notes) one thousand — 
two — and three— over three thousand pounds all lying 
around and the door standing wide open. Eh ! (he 2xisses 
rapidly away to the other side l.h., he listens, and then 
suddenly 

Enter Mrs. Welter ivlth teapot and cake. She places 
them on the table. 

Mrs. W. There ! 

Mr. D. Good-morning, Mrs. Welter ! (pause) Don't you 
know me ? (she goes to the secretary quickly and counts the 
notes) Do you find me changed 1 

Mrs. W. I hope so ! What do you want 1 

Mr. D. Can Nellie Welter ask what Jemmy Daisy wants ? 
(pitifully) Has it come to this here ? Oh ! 

Mrs. W. Yes, that's where it comes to. (advancing to 



THE JILT. 37 

K.c.) You was the friend of my old man. When he died, 
and I was feeling adrift and alone, you stepped in and 
offered to catch hold and be a father to my Phyllis 

Mr. D. {^melancholy) To any number of 'em 

Mrs. W. I did not say "No " 

Mr. D. You told me to call again 

Mrs. VV. After my weeds ! But before the year was out 
I heard how you lived, {up to table) 

Mr. D. Ah ! how conld I live without you ? If I went 
to the bad, who drove me there ? 

Mrs. W. You don't go for to mean you blame me ? 

Mr, D. You don't know the hole you left in my life ? I 
tried to find another woman to fill it. I tried a lot of 'em. 
No use ! My heart was a bottomless pit. 

Mks. W. I do think there used to be some good in you. 

Mr. D. Try if it ain't there still. You always said so. 
Show the world that you was right. That Jem Daisy was 
not so bad as he is painted. Show 'em what a good woman 
can do when she goes in for being a hangel. I don't come 
back to you empty-handed, {puts hat on chair l.c.) Look 
here ! a judgment debt ovvin' me from young Tudor, £3,800 ! 

Enter Phyllis btj window, dressed in her riding-habit 
and cap, 

Mrs. W. Where is the boy to find all that money ? {settling 
secretary) 

Mr. D. His father must get it somehow. Why, the 
Colonel has the handling of all Sir Budleigh's rents. He 
has been manager of the estates. Over twenty thousand a 
year has passed through his hands. D'ye suppose he has 
not feathered his nest ? 

Mrs. W. Yes, I do. 

Mr. D. Sir Bndleigh would never let him be sold up. 

Mrs. W. Of course he wouldn't, but the Colonel would 
not tell the Squire a word about it. He is too proud, too 
fond of his boy to expose him to humiliation. 

Mr. D. Then see how you and I can hold the whip-hand 
over the whole lot of them. Take me ? Here's the debt. 
Let us pool our fortius ! What do you say ? 

Phy. {taking the jKiper ivhich he holds out to Mrs. Welter ; 
advances down c.) She says that no such plug as you shall 
fill my father's place. 

Mks. W. Phyllis I 

Phy. Mother, have you been to Wakefield after that 
money ? 

Mrs. W. (r.) Yes, there it be. 

Phy. (c, crosses f or., to Dalsy) Father owed the Colonel 



38 THE JILT. 

an old debt, and we have been putting by our savings for 
the last five years to pay some of it ofi*. There is enough 
here to cover your claim. Count it, and make out your 
receipt to Geoffrey Tudor, (fioes to Mrs. Welter) 

Mr. D. {crossing to secretary r.) Do you mean it 1 

Phy. Count it. {turns aivay) 

Mr. D. It is all right. I've been through it. I mean 
I'll take your word, {ivrites) 

Mrs. W. {^ip R.c.) You knew of this debt ? 

Phy. (c. ) Yes, Geoff told me he was up a tree. 

Mks. W. {aside to Phyllis) Oh, Phyllis, 'tis all we have 
in the world. 

Phy. And don't we oAve all we have in the world to them ? 

Mr. D. {tvriting) "Received in full. James Daisy." 
{taking all the notes and crosses to l. ; is crossing out of door 

L.C.) 

Phy. {taking the paper, and reading it, which Mr. Daisy 
has left in secretary) Stop ! {crosses to secretary) You have 
taken the whole 4,000. 

Mr. D. There's the expenses and interest, and my com- 
mission. I've included it all. 

Phy. Hand over that 200 you have nobbltd. 

Mr. D. ( putting ttvo notes in her hand. Pause) I am only 
hacting for a third party. 

Phy. Don't show your face here again, unless you want 
one of the boys to spoil it. {gets back to desk) There's the 
door. 

Mr. D. {going) I hope there's no ill-feeling. 

Phy. Tramp ! {exit Mr. Daisy) 

Mrs. W. There goes our nest egg. Oh, Phyllis, you 
have the big heart of your father. (Phyllis gives hat and 
whip to Mrs. Welter) 

Phy. {sits R. of table) And his appetite ! Give me a kiss 
and a cup of tea. What do we want with nest eggs ? I have 
you and you have me. I say, mother, we have been giving 
that Irish horse a trial this morning. 

Mrs. W. Did you ride him ? 

Phy. No ; his owner did. I rode Thunderbolt. 

Mrs. W. Well ! 

Phy. Ballinahinch is a stag at timber, but he has not got 
the stride of our chestnut. After the first mile I had it all 
my own way, and I played all round him. 

Mrs. W. What did Mr. O'Hara say to that ? 

Phy. He said it was my feather-weight ; but it wasn't. I 
did not tell him I had put two stone twelve under my saddle. 
He did not know the Bolt was sailing under twelve stone. 
Oh ! mother, mother, if any of the boys could ride him he 



THE JILT. 39 

would win ! He'd win the great race, and Gteoff would land 
a fortune. 

Mrs. W. What is the use of talking ? The brute won't 
let no one but you go near liim. 

Phy. Yes, Geoff mounts him every morning. 

Mrs. W. And Thunderbolt puts him off. 

Phy. No, he don't. Geoff gets up behind me, and after a 
kick or two the darling settles down to his work and carries 
us both. Oh, it's lovely ! 

Mrs. W. You will be brought home some day on a door. 

Phy. It is the only way for Geoff and him to make friends 
when he feels that Geoff and I are one. (down to r.c.) 

Mrs. W. Well, and what's the use of it all ? 

Phy. Hush ! (rises, brings down Mrs. Welter) Geoff 
intends to ride him for the race. 

Mrs. W. What ! A Tudor making a jockey of himself ? 
The Colonel wouldn't hear of it. He is as proud as he is 
poor. Sir Budleigh would never allow it. They would expel 
the boy from his college, (sits l. of table) 

Phy. I'd like to see them do it. Expel Geoff for winning 
a great event ! The British people would stand a good 
deal, but they'd draw the line there, (enter Geoffrey t.., puts 
hat on piano. Phyllis crosses down to r.m. corner, then runs 
up to Geoffrey l. ) Oh, here he is! It is all right. I've 
told her and she's agreeable. 

Mrs. W. Stop ! stop ! (bangs table) What mad bout is 
this you two are up to? (l. of table) 

Phy. For the last week we meet an hour before daylight 
in the Long Spinney. I'm up at four, and saddle Thunder- 
bolt. None of the boys know we are training the horse. 

Mrs. W. No, no. I can't allow it. (bringing down chair) 

Geo. And no one need know to which jockey you will 
give the mount until the bell rings for saddling. 

Mrs. W. I won't be a party to no such thing, (placing 
chair c. and sitting) 

Phy. (r. of Mrs. Welter, and a little behind her) Then 
Geoff will peel, show in our colours, cherry jacket and cap, 
and before anyone can say knife, he's up. Don't you hear 
the murmurs of the crowd ? " They are off, they are off ! " 
Who's ahead 1 The Irish horse leads ! No, the Budleigh 
colours are at his quarters ! See, he can't shake him off! 

Geo. Over the double fence they go ! Safe as houses I 
(l. of Mrs. Welter) Lost behind the Spinney ! How they 
breast the hill I 

Mrs. W. (yielding to the picture and forgetting herself) 
Let him out, Geoff ; give him his 'ed ! The water jump is a 
comin'. 



40 THE JILT. 

Geo. He takes it without changing his stride. 

Mrs. W. He'll win ! He's got it in him ! No, no ! put 
it out of your heads altogether. 

Phy. !Now they are coming down the home stretch. The 
murmurs rise to a roar. Green is ahead ! The green wins I 

Mrs, W. (excitedly) Cherry for a hundred. 

Geo. Three to two on the Irish horse ! 

Phy. Thunderbolt ! Thunderbolt wins ! 

Geo.\, -7 JBallinahinch ! Ballinahinch ! I'll betmy life. 

Phy.J^'^^^^*' (Thunderbolt ! I'll bet my wife and family. 

Mrs. W. (excited) Lift him, Geoff ! Lift him, lad ! 

Geo. The Budleigh horse gives his heels full of dirt to 
his rival, and sails in ten lengths ahead ! 

Phy. Hands down, mother ! 

Mrs. W. I'll do it I (walks up and cloiun. Phyllis and 
Geoffrey embrace and laugh behind her bach at the success 
of their scheme) I don't know where it will take me to, and 
don't care. What's the odds against our horse ? 

Geo. Fifty to one ! 

Mrs. W. Taken — to five hundred ! Put it on, Phyllis ? 

Phy. We have only two ! 

Mrs. W. Sell a score of sheep and a stack of wheat. ■ It 
all goes ! You have got my Yorkshire up, and — dang it all ! 
— I'll win or die ! But, laws, deary me, what will Sir 
Budleigh say ? (sits c. ) 

Geo. He will say "Let the best horse in my stable win," 

Mrs. W. Oh ! the comfort it is to train for an honest 
man. How it clears the course, 

Eyiter Lord Marcus door l.h. in f. 

Geo. Lord Marcus ! 

Mrs. W, Hush ! not a word, (crosses to r., then up totable. 
Geoffrey and Phyllis exit) Leave us. 

Mail (dovn l,) Good day, Mrs. Welter, 

Mrs, W. My service to your lordship. ( puts chair hack) 

Mar. You had the Irish flyer out on tiial this morning. 

Mrs. W. (busy over table removing things) Mr. O'Hara gave 
him a pipe opener. 

Mar, You know I am half owner of the horse. 

Mrs. W. He's a grand animal — a gentleman with a 
pedigree as long as your own. 

Mar. When we entrusted him to you to be trained beside 
his rivals, we desired to show the sporting world our con- 
fidence by leaving the great issue in your hands, 

Mrs. W. They are clean ones, my lord, (back of table 
packing up things) 

Mar, I am sure of it. I would like to see the horse. 



THE JILT. 41 

Mrs. W. I will attend your pleasure. 

Mar. I would not trouble you so far. Where is the key 
of the stable 1 

Mrs. W. It never leaves my belt. 

Mar, I'll take it. 

Mrs. W. {front of table) I thought you said you would 
leave the issue in my hands. 

Mar. What do you mean ? 

Mrs. W. Business. My character is under that lock and 
key. 

Mar. Do you doubt a man of my standing 'I 

Mrs. W. I don't know how you stand, but I'll tell your 
lordship if you will let me see your betting-book. 

Mar. You forget yourself, and to whom you are speaking. 

Mrs. W. (c.) You are Mr. Wylie, commonly called Lord 
Marcus, and — other names ; the son of a dook — I'm Nelly 
Welter, a farmer's daughter. I am a barn-door fowl, and 
you are a noble swan, a-swimming through the world so 
grand and haughty, (comes down c. ivith traij) And as you 
sail along no one can see the two black legs working below 
out of sight, that give you a push. No offence 

Mar. I shall repeat this to Mr. O'Hara and to Sir 
Budleigh. 

Mrs. W. Do, my lord, but tell them with the greatest 
respect that I value my character more than my place. No- 
body don't 'andle Ballinahinch except hunder Nelly Welter's 
hown heye. (exit k.h.) 

Mar. (putting hat on table and takiiig off gloves) This 
comes of mixing with low-lived scoundrels like Mr. Daisy. 
Of course he is bound to brag of the connection, and 
exposes me to this sort of thing. I must own that Irish 
horse, cost what it may. Then I can scratch him or run him 
to lose That will give the race to Locomotive and I shall 
land a fortune. When the public find that O'Hara has sold 
the favourite, there will be a panic amongst his backers. 
(enter Myles and Kitty r.c.) Ah ! this is fortunate. I was 
seeking you. 

My. And we were seeking your lordship, (puts hat on 
table) 

Mar. You received my note ? 

My. I did. You ask me to put a price on my half of our 
joint property, Ballanahinch. I have no intention of part- 
ing with him ; he and I are one and indivisible. 

Mar. Name your figure. 

My. We are not for sale. 

Mar. Every man has his price. It is only a question of 
the kind of money. 



42 THE JILT. 

My. I never saw the kind of money that could buy me. 
(invites Kitty to sit l.c. ) 

Mar. (r.) You said you were seeking me —with what 
object ? 

My. We want to make you an offer ; it is a private affair 
entirely. 

Mar. You are quite mysterious. 

My. I propose a little stance at which the assistance of 
this lady is essential as a confederate, (takes a seat, brings 
down chair r.c. ) 

Mar, This is very amusing, (sits) 

My. I hope you will find it so. 

Mar. Now for the mystery. 

My. What the French call "La boite aux surprises." 
You know the English of that ? 

Mar. The box of surprises. 

My. The bag of tricks. 

Mar. We are waiting for the hrst. 

My. Lady Woodstock has confessed to us both all the 
business between you and herself relating to Dacre's letters. 

Kit, And she explains the kind of money you expect to 
be paid for selling the proofs you hold against her. (Marcus 
starts up) 

My. Trick number one — Jack in the box. 

Mar. I protest on my honour that Milly is mistaken. I 
simply pleaded to her to use her influence over you. Surely 
you cannot believe me capable of so contemptible a scheme. 

Kit. Will you give me the letters ? 

Mar. They are confided to me in trust, to deliver to Sir 
Budleigh. 

My. Of course. Honour forbids. Sit down. Trick 
number two in the bag. (Marcus sits) This is quite new 
and very amusing, but I require the assistance of my con- 
federate. 

Kit. 1 am aware of what passed between you and your 
associate Mr. Daisy, when you informed him that, by means 
of the power those letters gave you over my sister, you felt 
sure of my hand and fortune. 

Mar. It is false ! You have been deceived. 

Kit. I was present at the interview. 

Mar. You were present? 

Kit. And overheard every word of it. 

My. Come, my lord, let us accept the situation and face 
the question. 

Kit. We fully understand that Sir Budleigh is at your 
mercy and will submit to any terms you may impose. 

My. You said every man had his price. 



THE JILT. 43 

Kit. What is yours ? 

Mar. (crosses to Kitty ; to Kitty) If I have been driven 
to desperate expedients it was my love for you that 
blinded me. (Myles puts Marcus's c/iaw- hack to table in 
front of it, then gets to chair by desk and sits on the arm of it) 

Kit. {tur7iing away) I beg you to spare me the offence 
of these protestations. I cannot assist you longer at this 
humiliating scene. Lord Marcus, I pity you most sin- 
cerely, (goes up) 

Mar. I cannot accept that feeling. 

Kit. I have no other to give you. (exit) 

Mar. It is very fortunate for you, sir, that the practice of 
duelling is not in vogue. 

My. Very fortunate, indeed. For I don't want to be 
tritd for your murder. And when the accused is an Irish- 
man prejudice is apt to pack the jury. I'm mighty well off. 
Now let us descend to prose. (Kitty cippears at window c. 
and liste')is) 

Mar. Prose by all means. Will you buy the papers ? 
Will you pay the price I ask for them ? 

My. (sits R.) I have not a fifty-pound note — but name 
some figure that I can borrow. 

Mar. Your share in Ballinahinch. 

My. Sell him to you ? Part with the horse to you ! 

Mar. (rises, takes hat) With all his engagements. Think 
it over, and let me have your answer to-morrow. You have 
taken a hand in my game without putting anything in 
the pool. I can see through yours, (puts hat on) You want 
the heiress for yourself. You love her 1 

My. I do. I'm not ashamed to confess my folly, since 
you charge me with it. And if her fortune did not stand in 
my way, I'd back my chance against yours in the Maiden 
Stakes. 

Mar. So her wealth is the impediment to your enterprise ? 

My. Not a bit of it. 'Tis my poverty that disqualifies 
me. 

Mar. You are playing a deeper game than I can under- 
stand. 

My. Very likely, because it is an honest one. (rises) Look 
here. Lord Marcus, let you and I understand one another 
for once, (puts hat on) Her brother. Sir Budleigh, opened 
his house and his heart to me, receiving me in both as if I 
were his equal. Now, you know we are only a pair of fashion- 
able tramps. The difference between us is that I am handi- 
capped with a conscience, and I could no more take advan- 
tage of that loyal fellow to steal his sister than I could 
pocket his spoons. 



44 THE JILT. 

Mar. You have swallowed one of them. Ha, ha I My 
dear Mr. O'Hara, observe my position. Lady Woodstock 
has defied me by betraying the terms of our little engage- 
ment. Kitty has stumbled on some ugly facts, and you 
have backed these two girls to defeat me. (inoving to c.) 
I have just one trump left in my hand. 

My. It is not an honour. 

Mar. No, but it takes the trick — it takes the trick ! To- 
morrow morning I place in Sir Budleigh's hands the papers 
and trinkets confided to me, unless by that time I find our 
horse in my stable. Think it over. Glood-day. (at window 
L.F. ; exit window L.c.) 

My. Think it over ! What's the use ? Oh ! my beauty, 
must I part with you ? I know what he wants you for. 1 
feel as if I were selling one of my family into shame. They 
will take all the pride out of us, and our n uiie will be a 
byword. The world will say I have sold the race ! And 
what can I reply ? What reason can I give those who have 
put their trust and fortunes on me ? I have sold them for 
a woman's smile and a sweet word. Oh, my dear father, 
you were quite right when you said with your dying breath, 
" Myles, stoop down," and whispered, "Never put your 
money on a mare." 

Ethter Kitty ; she stands in porch looking at Myles. 

Kit. Well, have you brought him to terms ? 

My. I have, {gets to G.Vi.) 

Kit. What does he require ? 

My. Nothing from you. Tell your sister she may rest 
assured. 

Kit. How can I repay you ? 

My. By sparing me any questions about it, and by 
remembering kindly a poor devil that crossed your path, to 
whom you threw the alms of your heart, and who will never 
forget the smile you gave him at parting. Good-bye ! 

Kit. You are not going away ? {crosses to R.) 

My. Yes ! I find that I, who never laid a shilling on any 
chances, have plunged like a callow lordling, and have 
staked my life on — a — great — event. 

Kit. {aside) He means me ! 

My. I'm in for it, like a fool. I'm an outsider, entered 
by mistake— you understand. 

Kit. I — I think so. 

My. I'm bound to pay forfeit and scratch myself, and I'll 
do it, while I can look Sir Budleigh in the eyes with a face 
as honest as his own. 

Kit. Must you go ? {sits by desk) 



THE JILT. 45 

My. Yes ! it is impossible —but I must — d'ye see ? 

Kit. Is the difficulty one — out of which — Bud can help 
you ? 

My. No! 

Kit. Is it one out of which— I could— help you ? 

My. No, no. 

Kit. We owe you so much. 

My. That's it, No — I don't me^n thsit— (gets to c .) quite 
the contrary — nothing of the kind. 

Kit. Your pride renders you ungenerous, (goes to chimney- 
glass and is observing Myles's inovements in it', when finally 
he sits down, she returns to chair at desk) 

My. What have I to be proud of ? Proud ? How can one 
so poor be generous ? 

Kit. You will not go without bidding my brother good- 
bye. 

My. Oh do send me away, Miss Woodstock, do— do — help 
me to go ; 'tis hard enough anyway, but don't make it 
harder for me. 

Kit. If it must be — good-bye. 

My. Good-bye — for ever, (sits l.c.) 

Kit. {sits by desk — aloud) I cannot imagine what the 
nature of your difficulty may be. Confess, can it be that you 
have formed a hopeless attachment ? 

My. I have. 

Kit. I thought so — for Phyllis ? 

My. Ah, no — for one far beyond my reach. 

Kit. Beyond your reach. Good heavens ! You are not 
in love with my sister ? 

My. (rises) Oh, Misa Woodstock ! (gets c.) 

Kit. With whom then ? 

My. With whom ■ (enter Geoffrey by window ; to 

Geoffrey) Ah ! how do you do ? 

Geo. How are you ? Fine weather. 

My. Very. 

Geo. For the green crops. 

My. Very fine for the green crops, (exit l.c.) 

Geo. Kitty, I am in another mess. 

Kit. So am I. 

Geo, I met that fellow Daisy. He told me that he had 
been paid, and by whom ? 

Kit. I don't know. 

Geo. Then you shall know. (Colonel Tudor speaks out- 
side, then eiders window l.) Father, I have a confession to 
make. A college friend asked me to lend my name to some 
notes of hand. He did not mean wrong, but he was unable 
to meet them, and X am in for it. 



46 THE JILT. 

Kit. Oh, Uncle Jack, let me help Geoff — you have 
thousands of mine. 

Geo. Yes, he has, but he's not going to get me out of a 
mess at your expense. He's your guardian — a nice guardian 
you would make of him. 

Col. T. My dear ! you don't understand what an awful 
proposition you are making to me. 

Kit. I beg your pardon. 

Geo. It is all right You are only a girl. 

Kit. Yes, dear. 

CoL. T. What is the amount of the debt? 

Geo. Nearly £4,000 ! 

OoL. T. You take my breath away ! 

Geo. But, that is not the worst of it. 

Kit. He is in another mess. 

Geo. It has been paid. 

CoL. T. By Bud, I'll be sworn, (rises) 

Geo. No, sir. 1 1 was paid by Mrs. Welter. 

Kit. God bless her ! 

Miter Mrs. Welter and Phyllis r.u.e. 

Geo. It was all she possessed in the world. Oh, father, 
we cannot accept that sacrifice. 

CoL. T. {crosses to c.) My dear, excellent soul, I thank 
you for what you have done for that boy of mine. (Phyllis 
and Kitty kiss) 

Mrs. W. What do you mean '^ 

Col. T. But we cannot accept, {gets hack i^.) 

Mrs. W. Lor, Colonel, I don't know how you came to 
hear about it ! Can't you take it as a loan ? 

Col. T. No ! Impossible ! 

Geo. It was so good of you. But that makes it all the 
worse for me. 

CoL. T. I have some bonds and shares at home that you 
must allow me to send to you until they can be converted 
into money. We understand your feelings, but it would not 
do at all. {crosses c.) 

Geo. Oh, no. It wouldn't do at all. 

Mrs. W. If you understand my feelings, why do you 
hurt them like this ? 

Col. T. Geoff, take Kitty home. I wish to speak to Mrs. 
Welter alone, [goes up l.) 

Geo. (c. ) Mrs. Welter, I am so awfully obliged to you ; 
but — I can't ! — there, I'm unable to ex})lain — the governor 
will tell you — thank you I thank yon \{sTinacks her on back, 
exit umidoiv l.c. Phyllis goes to Mrs. Welter"* 



THE JILT. 47 

Kit. {crosses to Colonel l.c.) Uncle Jack, dear, won't you 
let me help Geoff ? Do? 

Col. T. No ! Go home. Get out ! 

Kit. Listen ! 

CoL. T. Not a word ! Don't open your mouth ! If you 
do, I'll — I'll— kiss it. (Kitty j-iuis out l.c.) 

Phy. Oh, mother, this has been my fault, (going r.) 

Mrs. W. No, it has been mine ! 

Col. T. Don't go, Phyllis. What I have to say concerns 
you, and you had better hear it. Come here to me. {she 
goes to Colonel) What ag^ are you ? 

Phy. Seventeen in June. 

CoL. T. You came in with the roses, didn't you ? You 
and Geoff have been playfellows all your lives ? 

Phy. Yes. 

CoL. T, He was nineteen in March. You are children 
no longer, do you understand ? 

Phy. No ! 

CoL. T. Mr. Spooner informed me that the tenants are 
talking about you. They say that you and my son meet in 
the paddock every morning before sunrise ; you two alone ! 

Phy. No ; Thunderbolt's there. 

CoL. T. The horse would afford very little protection for 
your character, my dear. 

Phy. My character ! 

Mrs. W. {crosses to Colonel Tudor) I understand, sir. 
It is my place and duty to explain to Phyllis that she is too 
old now to keep company with your son. I forgot that she 
is more than a child. It is my fault, she must be forgiven. 

Phy. What have I done 1 (gets r. and sUs by desk) 

CoL. T. You will see that we could not accept any 
obligation which could afford ground for 

Mrs. W. Yes, Colonel. I see it now. I have to ask 
your pardon for intruding on your business, but I did not 
mean {cries ; goes to chair front of table) 

CoL. T. {rises) No ! no ! You dear, generous, kind 
creature, {follows her up) I know what feelings prompted 
you, and I am grateful. But for Phyllis's sake we must be 
careful ; you understand, for Phyllis's sake {music. Mrs. 
Welter gets to window in recess) we must be careful — you 
understand, for Phyllis's sake, {kisses her, then goes to 
Phyllis and kisses her ; wipes his eyes ; stamps ; goes to piano 
for hat; tries to sing; when at ivindoiv l.c. looks at them) 
God bless you both, {goes off shouting) Boy, where's my 
horse ? {passes ivindoiv ; music) 

Phy. Mother, won't Geoffrey come here any more ? 

Mrs. W. No. 



48 THE JILT. 

Phy. And I — I must not see him again. 

Mrs. VV. No. (comhi'] from recess, down to chair l.c.) 
They say you are sweethearfcing. They say you are too old 
to be playfellows. It must end. I am sore-hearted to part 
with the boy, for I never knew until now how much I love 
him. (sits L.c.) 

Phy. (who has been staggering as if about to faint) Oh I 
motlier, mother ! (gets to c.) 

Mrs. W. What's the matter ? 

Phy. As he spoke I felt what I never knew. I saw what 
I had never seen till then. Mother, our lives have not been 
child's play. 

Mrs. W. (catching her in her arms) Phyllie, my darling, 
you don't know what you are saying. 

Phy. I do ! I do ! And I never knew it until now. 
(buri.es her face in her mother's lap) 

Rather Slow Curtain. 

End of Act III. 



ACT IV. 

Scene. — A room on the grand-stand, with a balcony overlook- 
ing the race-course. Mrs. Pincott and Wilcox engaged in 
unpacking a lunch-basket and laying out a picnic. Cold 
dinner on table. Tioo grooms assisting. This scene may 
be arranged to take place in a tent, through the opening of 
which the race-course is visible, the tent being on a hill, so as 
to command a panoramic view of it. 

Mrs. p. There now ! they have forgotten to send the 
salt and pepper. 

VViL. {searching in basket) No, here it is ; inside the 
coffee-pot. 

Mrs. p. They have put the bottle of pickles atop of the 
pigeon pie, and the crust is all mashed in. What shall we do ? 

WiL. It will do for the servants. I 'ope Thomas has 
took good care of the hice. 

Mrs. p. I fear Thomas has been taking good care of the 
brandy bottle. 

Enter Spoon er and Lady Millicent. 

Spoon. Awfully sorry, dear Lady Millicent, but I could 
not do it. If I were seen in the ring — consider my cloth ; 
and if it reached the ears of my bishop I'd get a wigging, 
don't you know, {crosses to R. Wilcox goes to balcony and 
looks out. Yells in distance) 

Mil. Something has happened, {goes up to better overlook 
the betting-stand) From the balcony here I overlook the 
betting- stand, where excited crowds are gathered, {comes 
down a little) There, do you hear those yells ? {yells distant) 

WiL. {u)ho has gone to balcony and looked out) It is Mr. 
O'Hara, my lady, who has just rode up on horseback. The 
people are mobbing him. {looking off r. ; grooms go off) 

Spoon. I am not surprised, {goes up r. of sofa) 

Mil. I thought he was so popular. 

Spoon. The news has just reached the course that he has 
sold the favourite — sold him the day before the race to the 
most notorious thief out of gaol, {exit Wilcox l.) He has 
let in the public, who were betting 2 to 1 on Ballinahinch 
yesterday ; 30 to 1 against him is offered now, and no 
^^^ers. I stand to lose sixty pounds, {by this is looking 



50 THE JILl". 



Enter Kitty r. 



Mil. I don't understand it, do you ? 

Kit. Yes I do, only too well, (crosses to l.) 

Spoon, (looking out) There he is ; with the crowd around 
him. (MiLLY gets to r.c.) How white his face is. They will 
tear him to pieces. Oh ! where are the police ? (exit L. ; 
falls over hamper) I beg your pardon ! 

Kit. (l.) And I stood there, and saw my work. I under- 
stood what he had done for your sake. 

Mil. (c.) For me ? For my sake ? Are you mad, Kitty ? 

Kit. (l) I am— very nearly. Are you so blind as not to 
perceive that O'Hara has obtained those letters from Marcus 
by selling the only thing he had in the world ? 

Mil. But why should he make such a sacrifice ? I have no 
claim on him. 

Kit. He made it — because he is unfortunate enough to — 
love me. (crosses to r.) 

Mil. You ? Has he said so ? 

Kit. No. 

Mil. Then how do you know ? 

Kit. Do you think I am a fool ? I knew it before he did. 
I tell you the man has ruined himself. I have beggared 
him. (crosses to L.) 

Mil. This sounds more like love than regret. (Kitty sits) 

Kit. Well, suppose it is. What then ? 

Mil. Then you are your own mistress. Why don't you 
give him encouragement ? 

Kit. I did. 

Mil. Do you mean to tell me you let him understand that 
he might 

Kit. Yes ; and he didn't ! He is stupidly proud ! 

Mil. He will find that love is stronger than pride. 

Kit. I feel it is ; and I shall have to propose to him 
before he will speak out. Could you not give him a push ? 

Mil. How ? (laughs) Shall I say to him, *'My dear Mr. 
O'Hara, my sister Kitty has lost her heart to you ; please 
give her some encouragement." 

Enter Sir Budleigh and Myles r.u.e. 

Bur>. You will be in safety here. 

Mil. What do the wretches want ? 

My. They wanted my scalp. 

Bud. (l.c.) One fellow reached for it, when O'Hara let 
out his left, and the claimant was helped away with a broken 
jaw. While the spectators were lost in admiration, we 
escaped. 



THE JILT. 5i 

Mil. The man did not hurt you, I hope ? 
My. Not much ; he spoiled my knuckle. 'Tis provoking 
that it is my bridle-hand. 

Enter Colonel Tudor. Sir Budleigh goes up to 
Colonel Tudor with Kitty. 

Col. T. Budleigh, the police cannot handle the crowd. 
You and I must face them, or we shall have no races. 

Mil. What do they want with Budleigh ? Why should 
he go ? (takes her arm and walks k.) 

Bud. Uncle Jack and I are the stewards of the meeting. 
Could you learn what the people want ? 

CoL. T. They want O'Hara to ride the favourite. 

Bud. Is there any reason why you should not ? 

My. None in life, barring Mr. Daisy, who owns my 
beauty. He would not let me up. 

Mil. Why not? 

My. Because I would win the race and ruin them. 

Bud. May I say that you consent to ride ? 

My. With all the pleasure in life. 

Bud. Then, by St. George, you shall ! The Irish horse 
shall run and run square, if I have to take him from the 
stable myself and lead him to the starting post. 

Cries and tumxdt outside. Enter Mr. TyAiSY dilapidated, 
dragged in by Mrs. Welter. Sir Budleigh get 
extreme r. 

My. Mr. Daisy ? 

Mr. D. What is left of him ! 

Mrs. W. I ask pardon for bringing him here, but the 
crowd were employed upon him, when Mr. Geoff came up 
and beat them back, (goes first to Kitty, then back) 

Mr. D. While that coward Wylie sneaked off like a cur. 
Yes, Colonel, your son, who has no cause to love me, 
behaved like a man and a gentleman, which he is. 

CoL. T. (l.c.) I hope so. 

Bud. Here is Mr. O'Hara, who is ready and willing to 
ride the favourite. We hear you refuse to give him the 
mount ? (sits across chair) 

Mr. D. The 'oss don't belong to me, hexclusive. Daisy 
and Co. has wheels within wheels. 

Bud. You mean that you run the horse to lose, (sits across 
chair) 

Col. T. And Mr. O'Hara won't ride to order. 

Mr. D. Oh, Sir Budleigh ! Give me thirty thousand a 
year, and I'll breed for the love of the 'oss, and race for the 



52 THE JILT. 

honour of the thing. Don't be too hard on a poor man as 
has got to get his living. 

Bud. Tlie burglar has got to earn his living, only there is 
a prejudice against his line of business. Now, Mr. Daisy, 
no tricks shall disgrace this meeting, for the conduct of 
which Colonel Tudor here and myself are responsible. And, 
Mr. Daisy, if I catch you up to any of your tricks, I'll have 
you paraded before the stewards and have you warned off 
every race- course in England. 

Mr. D. {pulling out a booh) Look here ; Daisy and Co. 
have backed your stable, laying over 15,000 pounds on 
Locomotive, your own horse. Sir Budleigh. You ain't going 
back on us when we are workin' the horacle for your honour 
and glory. If Referee rides, it means your defeat and our 
ruin. 

Bud, It means fair play, {crosses to r. corner) 
Mr. D. You call that fair play ! I stand to lose over 
5,000 quid, jumpin' Moses. Who's agoin' to fair play me ? 
Kit. I will, (gets O'Hara down L. corner) 
Bud. Kitty ! What do you mean ? 

Kit. I mean to buy the horse at any price. I suppose he 
has one. 

Mr. D. Say done to £8,000, and he is yours — book, horse 
and all. 

Kit. Done then — he is mine. 

Col. T. Kitty, you take my breath away, {goes up c.) 
Kit. {to Myles) Now, Mr. O'Hara, will you ride for me ? 
{offers her hand to him) 

My. Will I ? {throwing off his coat and standing in his 
jockey s^lit and colours, green and gold) God bless you for the 
chance. I'll mount my beauty once again ! Faugh-a-ballagh ! 
is my cry — for my thigh is on my native pig's skin — and mo 
name's O'Hara ! {shouts outside) 

Mr. D. I beg your pardon, but would you give me a 
few minutes' start before the news is known ? It will 
send the Irish horse up like a rocket — just time to get a 
pot on. 

Bud. Get out, you blackguard — and don't let me see your 
face again ! 

Enter Geoffrey. 

Geo. The police have failed to clear the course. The 
crowd are calling for the stewards. 

Bud. I'll clear it in a few words. Come with me, Milly. 
O'Hara, give my sister your arm. (Sir Budleigh, Millicent) 
and Myles go into the balcony. Sir Budleigh raises his hat, 
My sister, Miss Woodstock, has become the owner of 



THE JILT. 53 

Ballinahinch. Mr. Myles O'Hara rides for the Budleigh 
stable. 

Geo. Three cheers for Budleigh and fair play, {deafening 
cheers are heard ; exeunt Sir Budlekih, Colonel Tudor, and 
Geoffrey, l.h.2e. ; Myles amZ Kitty alone) 

Kit. Mr. O'Hara, will you tell me the truth ? 

My. That depends on what truth you want me to tell. 

Kit. You sold your share in Ballinahinch to Lord Marcus ? 

My. I did. 

Kit. On what terms ? 

My. Never mind. 

Kit. You gave away all you had in the world to insure 
the happiness of my brother and his wife. 

My. If poor Fred had been alive and a witness to the 
dishonourable use made of those letters, he would have 
given all he had in the world to reclaim and destroy them. 

Kit. And it was for his sake only that you made this 
sacrifice. You had no other motive ? 

My. I never had a motive in my life. 

Kit. No ; but you have too many scruples. 

My. I hadn't one when the honour of my dead friend 
required defence. ' 

Kit. You have one when you avoid seeking repayment 
for all that you have lost in fortune and public opinion. 

My. Misfortune is an epidemic in my country. If I had 
no troubles, I'd feel like an exile ; and, as for public opinion, 
I'd not change the Press full of it for the hearty embrace 
your brother gave me — for the grateful look in the eyes of 
his wife. 

Kit. And where do I come in 1 (sits l.c.) Have I no 
share ? 

My. (aside, looking at her) Oh 1 she has it all, if she only 
knew it. 

Kit. (sits -l.) I pause for a reply. Your attachment to 
your friend is very touching ; your appreciation of Bud is 
sweet to me ; neither of them can thank you ; but surely I 
owe you something, (offers her hand) Will you not take it ? 
(aside) I am giving a lead over the fence. 

My. (taking her hand) Certainly. 

Kit. My heart is your debtor for so much, (gives her 
hand) 

My. Don't — mention it. Let the obligation stand— to 
my credit, there. 

Kit. You have established unlimited credit there. 

My. Miss Woodstock— Kitty— I beg your pardon, I 
didn't mean that. 

Kit. Don't. 



54 THE JILT. 

My. It slipped out. I— I 

Kit. (aside) I wished it would 

My, You have your hand in mine. Oh — if — if 

Kit, (aside) Now it is coming. 
My. If I dared to hope 

Enter Geoffrey l.h., crosses to r. corner. 

Geo. (r.) It is all right, (cjcts r.) 

Kit. (stamping with annoyance and snatching her hand 
away) Oh ! flog that boy ; that's the second time he has 
done that, {goes np. Myles goes up c, Kitty up l.) 

Geo. Ballinahinch has regained his place in the betting. 

My, And I have lost mine. 

Geo. Can you keep a secret ? (crosses to r.c) 

My. If you had seen me tried a minute ago, you would 
not ask me. 

Geo. I am going to mount Thunderbolt. 

Kit. (l.c.) You ! He'll kill you. 

My. He is not a horse, he's an earthquake, 

Geo. No, no ; he is in one of his sweetest tempers. I 
rode him this morning ; he went like a lamb. 

My, Phew I 

Kit. Oh, Geoff, you are mad to attempt it. (goes up to 
Phyllis, who enters) 

Phy. He's saddled. I've been talking to him ; he's as 
good as gold. 

Kit. Phyllis, if Geoff comes to grief, I'll never speak to 
you again. 

Phy. He won't if he will remember what I say. [crosses 
to Geoff r.) Don't pull at him ; give him his head; don't 
try to teach him anything ; let him worry at the bit and 
have his own away ; sit quiet ; keep a length behind Mr. 
O'Hara till you turn into the home stretch ; then shake him 
up and blue lightning won't catch him. (crosses to r. ; 
Phyllis and Geoffrey go up ; she instructing him ; exit 
Geoffrey l. ) 

My, If she herself was in the saddle it would take the 
last inch out of my horse to show her the full front of my 
back, (cheers outside ; exit) 

Kit. (c.) Oh ! I feel sure he'll win. 

Phy. (r.) My heart is in my mouth. 

Kit. Hark ! They are cheering him. 

Phy. Whom do you mean ? 

Kit. Myles — I mean Mr. O'Hara. 

Phy. Surely you don't hope for his success. 

Kit. Of course I do. 

Phy. Oh, you horrid, unnatural thing. Do you hope an 



THE JILT. 00 

Irish vagabond will show his heels to the Budleigh stable 1 
Are you going back on your own flesh and blood ? 

Kit. You are a spiteful, ungenerous, selfish little cat. 
(crosses to n.) 

Phy. (goes up c.) I know what it is. You are in love with 
that fellow. Everybody can see that. 

Kit. (crying) Oh ! how dare you accuse me of that, 

Phyllis Welter, he's only a stranger — and he never Oh ! 

oh ! I know why you go on at me like this. It is because 
you are in love with Geoff. Do you think I am blind ? 
Oh ! oh ! 

Phy. (crying) I am not. He's only a b — b — boy, and 
I — I hate you. Oh ! oh ! 

Kit. Get out of my sight, you little wretch. Oh ' oh ! 
(after loandering about crying^ they meet and embrace) 

Enter Mrs. Welter r.h. 

Mrs. W. Where is the lad, where is Master Geoffrey ? 
He must not ride. There is a plan to be used to worry 
Thunderbolt, by making false starts, until he gets mad 
and bolts, (down to chair r.h.) 

Phy. I'll ride across to the post. I'll stand by. He 
won't bolt if he hears my voice, (exit l.) 

Mrs. W. Oh ! Miss Kitty. I don't know how I ever 
come to give in to them children. What will the Colonel 
and Sir Budleigh say ? 

Enter Servants, Sir Budleigh, Colonel and Milli- 
CENT ; they go to lunch table. Mrs. Welter gets to 
hack c.) 

Bud. (r.) Ah ! this looks inviting. Come, Milly, take a 
glass of champagne — a bumper to our stable. But where is 
Lord Marcus ? I expected him to join our party. 

Col. T. The Prince and the Princess are expected to 
'attend our Meeting, so Marcus is on duty as their escort. 

Bud. So, Mrs. Welter, you insist on running Thunder- 
bolt. I see his number up. 

Mrs. W. Yes, sir. (c. at back) 

Bud. Have you persuaded a jockey to risk his life ? It 
is an indictable offence to put a boy on him. What do you 
say, Milly, shall I order his number to be taken down ? 
(Mrs. Welter gets to seat l.c.) 

Col. T. Nonsense. An English boy should not fear the 
devil if he could be saddled. Mrs. Welter is right. A 
broken bone or two will do a lad good. 

Kit. Oh ! if he only knew what he is talking about. 



56 THE JILT. 

Mil. Oh, Bud, don't expose anyone to danger, (bell rings) 

Col, T. Too late ! (rises and goes up c. to haclc and looks 

off. MiLLiCENT /oWoifs Mm) There is the bell to send them 

to the post. There go Geoff and Phyllis on their ponies, 

flying across the heath. What a picture they make ? 

Mrs. W. (aside) I want to go down on my knees and 
pray. (Wilcox and Grooms go into balcony and look off) 
Mil. (to Kitty) How pale you are ! What's the matter 1 
Kit. (aside) I think I'm going to faint. 
Bud. There has rot been such a day as this for many a 
year. Don't you feel proud, Mrs. Welter ? (Spooner goes 
up) 

Mrs. W. I'm feeling as I never felt afore in all my life. 
CoL. T. Three flyers in the field— Locomotive, Thunder- 
bolt (coming down R.) and Ballinahinch — all our stable — 
all favourites. 

Bud. And Kitty running against the Squire. Haw ! 
haw ! Her horse, and against my two ! And I'd give a 
thousand she should beat me. 

Spoon, (ivho appears with a race-glass l.h. door) There is 
some trouble at the starting-post. They have made one 
false start, (goes off r.ti.) 

WiL. It looks like a haccident. 

CoL. T. It is that devil, Thunderbolt, at his tricks, (all 
the party cross up to the balcony) 

Kit, Milly, I'm going, I feel I'm going, Geoff is there. 
Mil, Where? 

Kit. On that Devil of a horse. 
Mrs. W. I shall be tried for murder. 
Mil. Geofi" riding Thunderbolt ! (everybody turns in 
surprise ; conies doivn c.) 

Col. T. (turni^ig) What ! My son ! Speak, woman ! Do 
you mean to tell me that you have put my boy on that 
brute ? 

Mrs. W. Oh, Colonel ! He would do it. He wants to 
win that money that you would not let me pay. 

Col, T, (c.) Damn the money ! Hoav dare you turn a 
Tudor into a jockey ! (crosses into l, corner) 

Mil, You said an English boy should have no fear. 
Col, T, Yes ; but his father may. I'll never forgive him. 
(turning crosses to r.h. corner) I'll send him to sea. 

Mrs. W. Colonel ! Don't take on so. It was all my fault. 
Take it out of me. Don't blame the lad. He is a hero. 

CoL. T. (c.) Blame him ! I'll break every bone in his 
skin, (up c. toivards bcdcony) disgracing his name. 

Bud. There, they are getting into line. I can see my 
colours. One— two— three. Yes, my horses are there. 



THE JILT. 57 

Thunderbolt is moving like a lamb. Bravo — there's a 
start ! They are off ! Hurrah ! Haw ! haw ! Green is in 
front ! The Irish horse leads ! 

Col. T. Eh ! eh ! Where's my boy ? (np to bade) 

Bud. Nowhere— in the ruck — away behind. 

Col. T. Disgrace and defeat ! (to Mrs. Welter) I'll indict 
you. (turns and advances, threatening Mrs. Welter) 

Bud. He is closing in the gap. 

Col. T. Who ?— what ! Geoff ! (turns hack and goes up) 

Bud. Thunderbolt passes through like a bird. Bravo, 
Geoff ! He took that bullfinch graiidly I Bravo, boy ! 

CoL. T. Ha ! ha ! (advancing dou-n c, waving his crop) 
By Jove, it takes a Tudor to show them the way ! 

Enter Geoffrey. His cap and jacket off and with muddy 

breeches. 

CoL. T. Geoff! 

Geo. I've been in such a mess. 

CoL. T. What has happened ? 

Geo. I don't know. It was a false start. When I tried 
to turn him, the brute reared, fell backward, and I went a 
mucker. When I recovered my legs, they had shifted the 
side-saddle from Phyllis' mare, and she was up— in my place. 

Mrs. W. What ! my girl ! 

Geo. Yes ! She grabbed my cap and jacket and now she's 
riding Thunderbolt, (cheers outside) 

Mrs. W. Turn my daughter into a jockey ? 

CoL. T. Don't take on so. Don't blame the girl. She is 
a hero. 

Bud. Thunderbolt ! Thunderbolt has collared the Irish 
horse. 

Mrs. W. Oh dear ! Oh dear ! My girl will be killed ! 
(Colonel Tudor raised on groom's shoulder) Has she got the 
weight ? 

Geo. Yes ; she carries it in her saddle ; it was never 
removed. 

Bud. Here they come. 'Tis a race ; 'tis a race ! (at hack) 
Neck and neck ! The Irish horse has it ! Cherry — cherry 
walks in his green for ever. 

Shouts outside : " Thunderbolt ! " " Ballinahinch winsl " 
'' Thunderbolt \'' 

Geo. Wait for the double fence— and water jump ! Look ! 
She gives him his head ! (a great cry is heard outside) She 
clears it like a bird. 

Bud. By George, she rides like an angel. 

Col. T. I'm proud of her ; how she brings him up. 



58 THE JILT. 

Bud. Good race, good race. Let him go, Phyllis, let him 
out. She laps his quarters. They race in nose and nose. 

Mil. Who wins — who wins ? 

Bud. Wait for the numbers to go up. Here they come. 
(reads) Thunderbolt first ! Ballinahinch second ! 

£^n#er Spooner R.H., his hat smashed in and his clothes 
in disorder. 

Col. T. What is the matter ? 

Spoon. I have no idea, (crosses down c. to r.h. corner) A 
party who was pursued by the mob took refuge behind me. 
The sanctuary of my person was violated, and I became 
mixed up in it. (cheers) 

Enter Myles with Phyllis. 

My. Egorra ! She's done it ! 

Mrs. W . (angrily) She has ! 

Phy. (kneeling at Mrs. Welter's feet and sobbing hysteri- 
cally) I couldn't help it, mummy. I was kick — carried away ! 
(Mrs. Welter, relenting, shakes her finger at Phyllis and 
laughs. Geoffrey raises her. The Colonel takes her in his 
arms and kisses her. Myles shakes hands with SirBudleigh. 
Music and cheers heard off) 

Quick Curtain. 
End op Act IV. 



ACT V. 

Scene. — Sa^ne as in Acts 1 and 2. Chair l.c, by fire. 

' MiLLiCENT L., Kitty r., and the Colonel discovered r. ; 
Geoffrey ivalking up and down at back. 

Col. T. Is the boy mad ? 

Geo. I shall be twenty years old next year. 

Kit. Meanwhile you will be nineteen next month. 

Geo. I have no time to waste. I don't mean to lose three 
years at Oxford. 1 want to graduate in the College of Life 
— out in the far West. 

Mil. Who has been filling your head with this nonsense ? 

Geo. Roydon Beecher, my chum. 

Mil. He found plenty of room there. 

Geo. He is going out to Colorado — that is, if I will go 
with him. Old England is getting to small for young 
England to breathe in. She's the old lady who lived in a 
shoe, who had so many children she didn't know what to 
do. I don't agree with many fellows who say she is played 
out. 

Kit. That is very good of you. 

Mil. And what on earth are you and young Beecher going 
to be out there ? 

Geo. Cowboys ! 

Col. T. What? 

Geo. We shall ride about on ponies and swing long whips. 

Col. T. I'd like to swing a short one. (l. of Geoffrey) 

Kit. And where is this Colo what d'ye call it ? 

Geo. {waving his arm generally) Oh, it is out there, you 
know^in Mexico, 

Mil. Does it belong to England ? 

Geo. Of course it does. Our swell fellows go out there 
— younger brothers, and chappies out of luck. 

Mil. I have heard geography is not a strong point at 
Eton. 

Geo. Eton is not a grammar school. 

Kit. No. I observe that in your letters to me. 

Geo. You don't mean to say you keep 'em. 

Kit. {rises, gets to c. , and hounds him round piano to back) 
I have in my jewel-case every blessed line you wrote to me 
— from the first, where you spelt "dear" with two *'ee's " 
and " Kitty " with one " t." I've kissed them into rags. 



60 THE JtLT. 

Enter Sir Budleigh, l.c. 

Bud. I never felt so troubled, {gets to fire) 

Mil. What has happened to vex you ? 

Bud. Mrs. Welter proposes to resign the stable. She 
and Phyllis are going to leave England. 

Col. T. More emigration ! There is an epidemic. {getsB..) 
Where does that old fool intend to go to ? 

Bud. She has a brother, it seems, settled out in some 
outlandish place in America. I forget where she said. 

Mil. Was it Colorado 1 

Bud. Yes ; that's where they are going. 

Kit. {to Geoffrey) Oh ! You little fraud. 

Enter Mrs. Welter and Phyllis, c.l. 

Col. T. What is all this nonsense ? 

Mrs. W. We have made up our minds, Colonel. Phyllis 
wants a change. She wants to go away. 

Mil. At such a moment, when she is the talk of all 
London? The ''Illustrated Press" devotes a cartoon to 
the event. 

Mrs. W. That's where it is, my lady. So much talk and 
cartoonin' ain't no good for a young girl. Then Sir Bud- 
leigh have spoiled her, and the Dook, he has invited her to 
Lynden Lee. All this is no life for Jack Welter's daughter. 
'Twill end in making her too good for a farmer's home, and 
not good enough for yours. Then where will she be ? 
Nowheres ! 

Col. T. {going to Phyllis) What is the matter with you ? 
{goes to Phyllis r. ) 

Phy. Nothing. I've been too happy, that's all. {sobbing) 
Happier than was good for me. So — so — they are going 
to take me out of training, and — and — turn me out to — to 
grass ! 

Col. T. {aside to her) Is it about GeolEf ? 

Phy. {throwing her arms around his neck) No, no, no ! 

Col. T. Come out into the garden ; I want to talk to you. 
{he takes her out, c. Mrs. Welter /o?7otos them) 

Kit. Here, Geoff, take Bud out, he's very fond of Phyllis. 
You may want him. {puts Budleigh up c.) 

Bud. I cannot understand it all. 

Kit. It is not necessary that you should. Go out with 
Geoff after Uncle Jack. Oh, if we had someone to bring 
Mrs. Welter to her senses. 

Bud. Just so — I — can only call names and swear. 

Enter Wilcox, r.c. 
Wil. The Reverend Mr. Spooner. 



THE JILT. 61 

Kit. The very man we wanted. 
Bud. So he is. 

Enter Spoonee, e.c. 

Spoon. My dear Miss Woodstock, do I intrude ? 

Kit. Not at all. You are the very man we wanted to 
see. 

Spoon. So happy ! Permit me one moment's interview. 

Kit. Yes, in the garden — in the garden with Uncle Jack. 
(Sir Budleigh and Geoffrey take his arm and hurry him out) 

p * j- This way — this way. (exeunt r.c.) 

Mil. Poor little martyr, he loves you so. 

Kit. (to Wilcox) We expected Mr. O'Hara to call. 

WiL. He came in a few minutes ago, miss, with Lord 
Marcus, but enquired for Sir Budleigh, with whom he said 
he had private business. Will you receive my lord ? 

Mil. Certainly, (exit Wilcox r.u.e ) I cannot under- 
stand it. 

Kit. Nor I. But O'Hara has the letters, so you are safe. 

Mil. I do not feel so. 

Enter Marcus r.u.e. 

Mar. Our regiment has been ordered out to India, so I 
came to take my leave, and express my sincere regret for the 
position I find we are obliged to assume. Our legal adviser 
assures us that we cannot possibly disregard our obligations 
as executors to the late Mr. Dacre, but must deliver the 
packet, whatever it contains, to Sir Budleigh. 

Kit. We? 

Mar. Yes, Mr. O'Hara, who is joined with me in the trust, 
fully agrees with that view. 

Kit. I don't believe it. 

Mar. You will see presently, for he is with your brother 
at this moment. 

Enter Sir Budleigh and Myles laughincj r.c. 

Bud. 1 don't think we shall hear any more of Colorado 
and cowboys — Geoff goes to Eton, Mrs. Welter and Phyllis 
stay home to keep house for Uncle Jack, Now if we could 
induce O'Hara to take up his quarters near us ! 

My. (at chair by piano) Well, I had an idaya of joining 
my old friend, Fred Dacre. 

Bud. I thought he was dead ? 

My. So he wrote me — but knowing how unreliable he 
always was I cabled the colonel commanding his regiment 
in India these words : ' ' When and where did Captain 



THE JILT. 

Dacre die ? " Last night I received this answer from 
Dacre himself, (reading telegratn) "A month ago I was 
married to the Belle of Bombay — come out and see her ; if 
short of fmids draw on me for 500." 

Mil. Not dead I {falls in Budleigh's armb^ 
Kit. Only married. 

My. It is so easy to mistake the events. 
Bud. I wish he could see with what pleasure we receive 
the news of his marriage. I wonder if he has heard of 
mine ? 

My. I conveyed the news to him — and his lordship and 
myself as his executors are commissioned to convey to 
you his s^ood wishes and return to Lady Woodstock this: 
packet of letters which he feels he is no longer justified in 
retaining, {to Marcus.) Checkmate. 
Mar. a narrow escape. 

My. 1 hope your lordship may have as narrow an escape 
out of your mess. 
Mar. My mess ? 
My. Haven't you heard ? 
Mar. No. 

My. Mr. Daisy has disappeared with all the money paid 
by Miss Woodstock for Ballinahinch. 
Mar. Bolted ! 

My. To-morrow the creditors intend to take possession 
of the books and papers in his office, and if your lordship is 
not beforehand with them your connection with that firm 
will be discovered. 
Mar. The devil \ 

My. Just so — straight tip — take it. 
Mar. I will, thank you. 

My. You've just got sixteen minutes to catch the next 
train. {Exit Marcus) 

Bud, I say, Mil, suppose we settle the home farm on 
Geoff. I think some part of it is included in your marriage 
settlements— let me look over them. 
Mil. I have not got them. 
Bud. Where are they, dear ? 

Mil, {rises) They are burnt — I destroyed them a month 
after our marriage. 

Bud. Burnt them — wherefore? {sits i,.) 
Mil. Because I obtained them from you under false pre- 
tences. When I consented to become your wife, I did not 
love you, I loved — someone else. And I went to your arms 
with a breaking heart. Even on our wedding day I wrote 
to my rejected lover. See, here are my letters— read them 
— read — and learn what a vile thing has crept into your 



THE JILT. 63 

home, (gives letters) Oh, Bud, dear, you have taught me to 
love you, (Sir Budleigh r/ses and puts letters on mantelshelf) 
and I cannot be false any longer to my own heart, and to 
yours — read, and know when I stood beside you at the Altar 
the vow I uttered was a lie. (kneels) 

Bud. I knew it. (lifting her head up) 

Mil. You knew it? 

Bud. Hush ! Don't despise me. I accepted you with 
another man in your heart ; I knew it. But love is so mean 
and selfish. I hoped you would help me to displace my 
rival. Day by day I watched your struggle with yourself. 
I saw the old love die, and the young love nursed by pity 
was born in your heart. Then, as I felt your arms creep 
round me, I knew you were mine at last. 

Mil. Yours, yours ! (jyuts her arms around him) 

Bud. (raises Jier) And now you ask me to pry into your 
girlish life, to find some dead loves there to throw into 
your face because you did not love me before you learned 
that I was worthy to be loved ? You ask me to bring shame 
to your cheek, tears to your eyes. My darling, you were 
never unjust or unkind to me till now. (throivs letters into 
fire and draivs her to him ; both sit) 

My. I hope you will give an eye to the poor horse. Mrs. 
Welter has promised to let me know how he gets on, and if 
■you would try him, ho would carry you well, (gets to her L.) 
I never touched him with whip or spur, nor spoke a rough 
word to him. He is as gentle as yourself. 

Kit. When shall we see you again ? 

My. I'm thinking of looking up a friend of mine that 
went abroad some time ago. 

Kit. Where? 

My. I forget 

Kit. To Colorado, perhaps. Mr. O'Hara, I cannot quite 
understand you ! Do you know that you are the only man 
that has been received here who has never made love to me ? 

My. Good heavens, Miss Woodstock ! what d'ye take me 
for ? Do you think I should forget myself so far ! You 
know who and what I am. 

Kit. I think so. 

My. And who and what you are. Think of the extreme 
distance between us. 

Kit. Extremes meet sometimes. 

My. I am a poor, broken-down adventurer, penniless, 
homeless — a Bohemian in the city, a vagabond in the shires. 
I live in one room, that I may save money enough to pay 
for the keep of Ballinahinch. I'm a tramp that stops at 
your gate, and takes a hungry look at you through the bars. 



64 THE JILT. 

Kit. So you are going to leave us ? 

My. And I leave my life here. 

Kit. In the stable with my horse ? 

My. No ! at your feet, I can't help it. Your eyes wring 
it out of my soul. I must speak or die. 

Kit. Then speak for heaven's sake, {rises) 

My. I may offend you. 

Kit. The only offence has been your silence. 

My. My angel ! 

Kit. I'm nothing so distant. 

My. My idol ! 

Kit. I'm neither wood nor stone. 

My. My love ! 

Kit. Yes, yours, (he kisses her. Aside) Oh, it was a 
long time coming, (to him) Don't mind them. They are 
better engaged than attending to us. Talk to me. (she 
plays liglithj on the piano. Geoffrey and Phyllis co7ne in, 
Gkoffrey's arm around her, he earnestly pouring words into 
her ear ; they go towards the conservatory. Mrs. Welter 
and the Colonel appear at the window) 

Curtain. 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 




014 386 481 9 






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^\V ,, ;2il2*^«. 



